Your Brain May Be Blocking You From Losing Weight.

Weight Loss Recidivism

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A couple of weeks ago, a rogue comment was posted under one of our videos, and the opening sentence read, “Susan, you should be ashamed of yourself.” The substance of her critique was about finances, business integrity, and weight loss recidivism. The comment was posted in a place where almost no one would have ever seen it, but I decided to raise it as the subject of this week’s vlog. Watch to hear the critique and find out what I had to say.

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Comments

Susan… you’re wrong. Some of us who know you and who know the programs and what they take to deliver… know you are not greedy. Absofuckinlutely. I know.

You’re a lot of things… mostly beautiful things. You’re human and have beautiful flaws as you should.
Greedy ain’t one of them.

I’d have paid you every cent I have to learn how to get out of morbid obesity and into a goal body. I paid a few hundred bucks. And now I happily pay a few hundred more a year to stay close to the mother ship.

You owe me nothing.

You owe Josey RN nothing.

And that said… I thank Josey for inspiring a great Vlog. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Well said and I agree – I am feeling a sense of freedom and control from all the help you have provided, and all of the resources you have included above and beyond the basic Boot Camp. Thank you very much for providing the science behind successful weight loss and in having a mind much more at peace.

Hi Susan, the person who made that comment sounds like an internet troll. I wouldn’t think much of it. You have staff and people who are working their butts off to help people. Undoubtely everyone should have access to this service. But that doesn’t mean it shoud be free. You are offering an incredibly valuable service. It has value, I think a good indcator of greed is secrecy, you are clearly very open and transparent about the company. Much love Susan, you are a wonderful leader and I wouldn’t bother spending anymore of your precious time on this comment.

I saw that comment, replied to it and have been waiting for your response… Because I knew you would!
She was probably one of the unsuccessful and frustrated…. which is understandable….
Way to address it Susan… You are awesome!

It is everyones decision if they are going to stick to their diet. We can’t slap their hands when they pick up food they aren’t suppose to eat. Be responsible for what you eat. And as for greedy, if Susan had not done her research, you would have nothing to complain about. Josey,, now you can go to work, not get paid and have someelse support you. Being 85 now, I enjoyed working. Did not retire until I was 70. Being paid felt good..

Susan, you should be proud of yourself. You offer tremendous value with your products. And if you offered them for free, people would undervalue them and be less likely to act on them. Offering a bootcamp plus a membership product that people can use to maintain weight loss gives tremendous value. Offering a new program that helps those who didn’t succeed get restarted also offers great value.

If you were truly greedy, you would sell snake oil to unsuspecting customers, extracting their dollars and offering very little in return. You sell a life-altering set of programs that provide value in excess of what you charge. If you didn’t market your product in a way that drew people to it, they would never have a chance to experience a better, thin and free life. If you didn’t charge enough for your product, you couldnt’ afford to market and wouldn’t be able to afford to pay staff to provide the support that your community wants.

You’re a great example of how entrepreneurship should work. Offer value in excess of what people pay and continue to provide them with what they want and need once they’re customers. Keep up the great work.

Susan, freedom isn’t free. Thin isn’t free. Happy isn’t free. A man on the moon. That wasn’t free. All take effort, energy, time, focus, commitment, service, and so on. If these were free, no one would perhaps recognize them. What we can recognize in these worlds of duality is what we have – opportunities in abundance… to work, to seek, to set our sights and determination on what is near and dear to the very core of our being. You, my dear Susan, and all the others not only on the BLE staff, but the hundreds of other BLE volunteers, are living examples of ‘IT CAN BE DONE!” It starts with a dream, a vision, and you’re sharing that with the world! Were you not to follow your own inner guidance “Write the book!”, none of this might be here for anyone! We either pay now or pay later. I’d prefer to pay now. And to give back in service and gratitude, paying it forward, backwards, downward, and upwards…. ‘it’s not about the money.” Thanks so much for talking about the elephant in the room, Susan. You and BLE rocks!

Susan,
I do not think you understand Josey RN’s point which I agree with. Your original promise is that this is different than all the other plans you have tried. In fact, it is a great plan put the reasons that keep others from succeeding hold true for your plan too.

Your bootcamp message is that while all of these forces have prevented you from succeeding in the past, this is different. Actually, no, the forces are there as they are with all of the other programs.

Amy, I do understand what you’re saying. The forces preventing people from succeeding have led to BLE’s vastly more successful tools for dealing with those forces. There is no claim that everyone will thrive on BLE. Obesity is a huge worldwide epidemic and as with other epidemics science and medicine cannot help everyone. We don’t ask MDs to work for nothing, or biologics companies to develop vaccines for nothing, or researchers at public institutions to work for nothing. You may simply be trying to emphasize Josie’s point. I get it. But imo her point misses the point that overcoming obesity is a work in progress, it takes resources to progress and people on the front lines should not work for nothing. If people want the best chance at success, dis is da place.

“The worker deserves his wages.” This is Biblical truth, for all times. No one works for free. Anyone can volunteer as they choose to, of course, but the BLE business she’s created is not that model nor should it be, imo. It’s consuming her life, her personal time, her intellect! She deserves to make a living by her investment of herself.
I do believe her program is different, although the forces that cause obesity are still there and very present in our society. Eating is all about personal choices. No one can magically cause us to lose weight nor guarantee results.

Amy, you’re conflating two things: the force of compulsive food consumption, and the plan meant to overcome it. So at it’s very heart, the point, if that truly is Josey’s point, is misguided.
Joseph in Missoula

I have watched every vlog of Susan’s. I have seen her marketing materials since 2015. I have also seen her “video testimony” about how Jeff Walker’s PLF helped her “launch” her business and following. In my view she is not “greedy” but has identified a huge gap in the weight loss field and has fantastically positioned herself to BOTH help a ton of people AND make money. This happens to be the basis of our economy- someone identifies a need and takes the necessary risks to develop a solution to that need. For every SPT there are a thousand others who have come to the market with answers and who have failed. So, I say good for her!

BTW, anyone can grab Susan’s book at a used bookstore for $2 and do the program. All of it.

Regarding the “promise”: I DO believe that there is an ethical dilemma when claims are made. Many people are not in a place to think critically and are highly vulnerable due to desperation. I am not sure that there is an easy solution to this except to tell the truth about the stats.

Finally, I would very gently invite Josey RN to consider the voice of her own grief. I was one of those people who lost a ton of weight on BLE (90 lbs) and then gained every pound back. I started flirting with other things (as Susan warned about) and essentially relapsed. That caused me a tremendous amount of emotional pain. I searched for a reason- a rationalization- to explain what had happened. Blaming factors that were external to me was something I was tempted to do. Why? Because of the deep shame and sense of failure I had. Yet I had to face the reality that 1. My weight was the product of my food choices, and 2. My capacity to make food choices is compromised by my addiction to food. To me, that is a recipe for providing grace toward myself. It is also an upward call to get up and keep trying.

I hope that there is a way we can, as a community, hold up Josey RN and support her in her pain.

Wow… thank you for sharing your own personal story, which may shed huge light on Josey RN’s situation. Very compassionate comments, while at the same time validating Susan’s completely appropriate business strategy, and recognizing the ethical dilemma present. I appreciate your response to the video.

I also want to thank you for your compassionate response to both Josey and to Susan. I was hearing Josey’s pain and disappointment: there are a lot of web hucksters out there and rehab programs that promise so much and deliver so little. I also appreciate that Susan’s program is a work in progress and continues to evolve as she learns and we learn more about this difficult transition to a better way of life. I started the program in Feb. 2016 and have been very successful at staying at my goal weight. I also recognized I still have internal struggles with perfectionist tendencies that set up polarities. So the opportunity to explore how I do that from day to day and how to build an “infrastructure” of daily routines that support me — these have been well worth the costs. I’m three weeks into the program and have no regrets about my investment.

Thank you for sharing here about your self. Good luck with your journey and I hope you can eventually achieve what you want too. Thank you for what you said regarding Josie and Susan – what insight put out to us so beautifully. Awesome and memorable.

Thank you, Sean. Seven years ago I lost 83 pounds and kept off 78 of those pounds for 5 years. Then,…..I don’t know…whatever happened….and it happened fast. I retired & didn’t realized I was actually a food addict. I want from a size 6 to a 16, then 18 in less than a year. “Grief” is a great word; “shame” is a great word. I avoid friends and former co-workers and am furious that I did this. Anyway, thank you…well said….heart felt. Turn arounds are challenging. I’m appreciative of Josey’s query, Susan’s response and your comment.

I can’t imagine the time and effort it takes to create and maintain this BLE community. I see charging money as your wage (and those that assist you) . While you are very personal in your delivery and “bond”, I never think of you as a personal buddy, but a loving mentor. I don’t recall you ever promising at Boot Camp that one would be successful — only that you were giving tools and information that could assure that success GIVEN that someone follows the program…exactly. Anyone who has struggled with a weight issue, knows that relapse is a big factor and I feel Reboot-Resume addresses it at a deeper level and, certainly, is giving me a greater understanding and encouragement in my journey. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you for such a thorough discussion. I often think that you are not greedy enough! I think you are so careful to not be greedy that you don’t get your full value. You left a tenured position to support this community and this cause. You created all of the content to share with us to help us be happy, thin and free. You employ all these people to support our journey. Don’t under value what you provide to the world. And be a little more greedy:)

I don’t have an issue with you charging for the Rezoom program, though I also understand marketing techniques, and if I waited a year you’ll likely be offering this program at a discount (as you did with the Boot Camp). Products go on sale when your market is saturated, and new products are created when the customers are tired of the old one.

That said, I asked for a NEW program because returning to the old bootcamp videos didn’t inspire me much anymore. I like the program and appreciate the work that has gone into creating it.

What I DON’T like, however, are your emails promoting other products. Stop pitching your friends’ new books, new programs to me. It feels disrespectful of my privacy. I work to keep spam out of my mailbox, and sending these promotions through your e-mail address bothers me. Thanks.

Yes, When our Susan promotes other products, services, etc. she is in a sense, working for THEM as opposed to only
working for BLE (US) which is what we pay for and desperately want (and need!!) ….Am certainly not against our Susan
working elsewhere . I just don’t need to hear of it. But she’s not the only one who does this.

I agree. The endless emails selling someone else’s stuff drive me crazy and sadly, make me question your sincerity and integrity. I hate saying that and I’m sure it’s ask a part of a “I’ll scratch my friend’s back and they’ll scratch mine ” which leads to more contacts, revenue, etc. But I think it makes you seem less trustworthy. Don’t get me wrong , I am not saying you can’t be trusted. I think just the opposite….but the endless plugs to those who don’t watch your videos and “know” you (as well as one can know someone through a vlog) really do devalue what you have to offer. I love BLE but I really dislike those emails! I want to hear what you have to say concerning BLE but I could do without the rest..

I do agree with your point. Having said that, I watched most of the iThrive series for free and found Dr. Fuhrman and his book, “Eat to Live”, which has helped me immensely. I don’t believe I would have known about him otherwise, and it’s been life-changing for me so I’m thankful.

I also have a love/hate relationship to those additional emails. I love learning something new that I may have not been aware of, but at the same time don’t like getting them in my inbox. LOL. I’m in a quandary if I should remove myself from the list or not! I guess I’ll just continue to delete the ones I don’t want to read until I decide to unsubscribe.

Yours is a complaint that should be addressed. And Dr. Thompson did address it a number of months ago. At the bottom of her emails for the products of others, she provides a link to unsubscribe from such emails. Unsubscribe with a simple click, and you’ll still get BLE notices, but none of the others’.
Joseph in Missoula

Hi Laurel! We appreciate your feedback! You can opt out of receiving those emails, if you’d like. Simply scroll down and you’ll see the option to unsubscribe within the email. We do make an effort to support our friends in their businesses and to share information and items that we find worthwhile and potentially valuable to our BLE community as well. We know many have greatly benefited by what our friends offer and are sorry that hasn’t been the case for you.

I agree that you are using my email (which is personal information) to market things that I’m not interested in. It feels slimy and takes away from the respect that I have had for BLE and for you. You should know as a psychologist, that you are working with a vulnerable population here and it feels like a boundary violation to get all this other stuff. It would be better for you to have people opt in for non-BLE marketing instead of using your contact list (us) to promote your friends. I will be unsubscribing as I had not before due to concern of not getting BLE information.

How can we opt out of the emails without opting out of the weekly vlogs and pertinent BLE emails? There is only an option to unsubscribe completely. There is no capability to opt out of emails marketing third party products.

Hi Diane! If you scroll down in the most recent email we sent, you’ll find this, which is how you can unsubscribe but still receive our emails.. <3

NOTICE: I’ve just shared with you some valuable content that I think you might find interesting and helpful. This is offered by a partner of mine, which means if you purchase something from them at a later date, BLE might be compensated. If you want to stop receiving emails from me about affiliate partners' programs, you can UNSUBSCRIBE HERE. (You'll still get emails from me about Bright Line Eating—this will only remove you from emails about my partners.)

I am one who never comments on any board, but felt the need to give my 2cents worth about the unsolicited emails. I received an email the other day (from Susan) promoting Ocean Robbins’ book, and thought about it a bit, and jumped in and ordered it. Why? It is through Ocean Robbins that I heard about Susan Peirce Thompson and BLE. I thought $28 for his book is a small price to pay for a tip that changed my life and I will be forever thankful. While I cannot do the boot camp at this point, I can buy her book and am having great success following the plan. I plan on also buying the cookbook when it comes out, as a way of supporting her. I do not mind the emails–many in the health field do this and if the subject is not of interest to me—I just hit delete.

Thank you Susan for all you do!!! Life changing. The highlight of Wednesday is your weekly blog. Blessings!

I disagree here. I read the emails promoting other items and really enjoy seeing what Susan is sharing. Why? Because she has added incredible VALUE to my life. When someone adds value in a huge way to my life I am
far more inclined to listen to what they have to say and share. I found Susan and BLE because of a personal email from another Guru I opted in to follow. And Thanks GOD I did!

Ask yourselves- How did I find Susan and BLE? Was it a recommendation from somebody else? Be it a personal friend or an internet recommendation we all try new things recommendation from friend, family, etc. Why not be open to what’ Susan has to share. She’s brilliant and invests far more in learning and growing than I do at this point in my life.

Big HUGS Susan! I just watched your vlog of today, 1/23/19. I do NOT consider you greedy! I’m not sure what Josey thinks should be charged for Reboot/Rezoom, but my belief is your costs are extremely fair. Sometimes people think they should get professional advice for free. It doesn’t make sense! You are a healer but also a business person. You have staff that I can tell you love and respect.
I’m just on Day 10 of Boot Camp, my first BLE experience & I think it’s worth every penny of $497. I have paid insane amounts of money to health coaches with whom I have learned recipes, and many nurturing techniques, but NEVER lost any weight or had 24/7 support, for LIFE! There is one particular coach I used who is what I would consider very greedy! Her programs are insanely expensive! And she did a Facebook live last week and made negative comments about BLE, Keto, etc… because she does not believe in rules around food……..I was furious but I did not want to humiliate her publicly on Facebook. I take comfort in the fact that a friend who also spent a lot of $ with this coach, and is also in Boot Camp, set her straight diplomatically. I’m extremely grateful for all you do. I finally know I can loose 110 pounds and you will help me keep it off for life! I was widowed 10 months ago, and I’m almost 60 & I have to be alive & healthy for may years because I have a 15 year old daughter. With love.

I agree no one should be bashing other programs,. With that said, I did see a vlog of Susan’s where she put down the Keto diet saying too much fat and very greasy. So anyone promoting weight-loss of any kind needs to watch what they say.

Susan! From my point of view , a new course with new contents, should be charged.
It’s nice to have a discount as a Bright Lifer. What I and many other lifers had discussed in the past is the need we feel of having more discounts on the Bright Lifers renewal rate for every new year we renew. As in other subscriptions do. That way you will have more Lifers, that have more experiences with the program, that are faithfull to it…. because we form a tribe with you and then for $$$ we start loosing it. Like many of my Boot Camp people…. they are gone now, because couldnt afford that price. I asked support and received a monthly paiment mode with some discount… but I’m mexican, living here, pesos go low, dollars hi… makes it harder to pay!!!!
Much Love!

Maria, I SO agree with you. I do not have an issue paying for new BLE programs as they come out, if I feel I will benefit from them, but I would SO like to see a step-down renewal rate for Bright Lifers. Those who have been around for years provide so much value to others in the program, both from their advice and just their existence. They are proof that this program does work, if you work it, and that is such an inspiration to all of us. But financial concerns are a reality, and I’ve seen several people post on FB that they cannot afford to renew and I think that is so unfortunate, not only for them, but for the community.

AND I loved this vlog. As always, Susan’s candor and honesty are there for all to see.

Dear Susan,
I’ve never personally publicly commented on one of your vlogs but I consistently watch them on a weekly basis. I just finished watching your latest vlog and I want to let you know as a fellow soul on this planet I am so thankful there are people like you on the Internet, and in this world. You could’ve chosen to Handle that comment in a very ugly way, but you handled it with beauty and grace.

I love the information that I’ve learned through your vlog, I am a happier, healthy person Because of YOU. I feel like you are using the platform you have created to bring light to the world. You are a good person. I think you are an excellent example of how we as human beings can communicate with each other when we don’t agree.
My prayer and hope for you is that as you continue to put light and goodness into the world you will receive abundance in return. Abundance in love, and joy, and yes… finances,.

Seriously? Given the $$ I’ve spent on BLE ($100’s) vs. MediFast, Weight Watchers or Nutrisystem ($1000’s spent on each of these + years of my life) and the value of what I’ve gotten from BLE is unbelievable. And the only program that works compared to the others as well. Josey’s is way off track. Get a grip. You can do this with just the book or the 14 day challenge. I have friends who’ve done that. I’ve opted for more intensive boot camp. It’s an individual choice. And SPT is running a business. Would Josey ask WW or MF or NS to give her their program for free? Geez.

I did feel that $500 for BLE Bootcamp was a bit steep, but I paid it because I was desperate. I will be paying for it for awhile because I put it on a credit card. The value is that I have access, and while I have fallen off the strict program that I started on, it is nice to know that I can go back and start again at my pace. Now, if there came a day that I couldn’t sign in, you would definitely be hearing from me!

I agree with you Susan and applaud your response. I might just add that if you care to , go to: the work.com Do a worksheet of Byron Katie. Just curious if those “wrinkles” don’t iron out for your own peace of mind after doing so. And if you need help with the worksheet, don’t hesitate to go to resources/help for free live assistance. Much love, Beverly

Susan, I have to respond! I have no resentment about how you run your business. You never said the journey would be easy. You have given us tools to use and the invitation to go deep into our psychological issues in order to heal. The actual journey is up to us. You have now provided a new course to provide another level of learning, having identified that there is a percentage of us who don’t get there in a straight line. I am one of those. Two years in, I got close to goal, freaked out, gained some back, did a ton of inner work, now I’m back on track and hope to make it to my body size goal this year. But I know that even then the work is not over.

You do not need to be ashamed, you should be proud. You and your team are helping so many people in this messy, complex, confusing world of food addiction.

Right on Kathryn! Imagine getting all exercised with complaints against a university that charges for a new course, because you paid for an earlier, different course. Like, “Hey! I paid for an apple yesterday! But I’m still hungry! Shame on you for charging for an orange today?!!!”
Joseph in Missoula

Thank you for your response to Josie. I would add for the intended benefit of others, because SPT herself cannot really say this, it is her experience, suffering, intelligence, synthesis, genius that has led to the extreme weight and health benefits of people like me. As a fellow scientist, needler around the edges, and independent thinker, I learned long ago that 1) innovators are often so pressed for time and energy that they simply cannot spend time with people that aren’t ready to embrace the innovation (SPT is way way better at connecting with “lesser mortals” ie you and me on the subject of food, addiction and weight loss than most innovators I’ve ever known) 2) some folks are just smarter, better-looking and richer than I am. And I learned to suck it up, back in professional school decades ago. The world pays differently for different achievements, even as we may believe (I do) that every effort and talent is worthy of respect and reward. 3) I have found that the desire for things often runs stronger in people who had less as children and less strong in many of those who did not have to struggle financially growing up. So. It. Goes. I am daily thankful, though I’m in lousy financial shape as a retiree, that I spent the money on boot camp, can retake it for much kess, can re-use the materials and have received and internalized so very much of value. I hope people can make some peace of who they are and what they’re able to do with what they have. And help whomever they’re able into the bargain.

I do not think it is greedy to be asked to be paid for the program. I do think that your business model punishes those of us with lower incomes – and contributes to inequality over who can afford to benefit the most from your program (which I like). After the boot camp, there was a discount to join Bright Lifers – but only if I paid in full and in 3 days. I would totally have joined had there been an option to pay over 3 months – but there wasn’t and I could not afford it. Same for the Reboot and Rezoom – to pay in 3 sessions I was charged $100 extra. The effect is financial harm for those of us who do not have the financial wherewithal to pay up front. I am still sad and frustrated that I couldn’t afford to stay in . Your produce is fiercely in demand. I do not believe that you have to do the standard business model to make it profitable – and you and those working for BLE deserve to be paid.

I agree, Jules. I would like to start a non-profit that helps people at lower levels of income (so many in my neck of the woods) be able to afford boot camp. I don’t know how it would shake out but I think it could work. I don’t think BLE could reasonably be expected to offer programs for sliding scale. That would be a complicated mess.

I cannot afford the Boot Camps or Reboot and Rezoom programs but I did afford the 14 day Challenge, The Bright Line Eating Book, all the blogs, all the videos SPT makes and joined a FB group for support. So far I’m working with the tools available that I can afford and am loosing weight. I listen closely for the pearls of wisdom in any communication and am learning so much about how my brain and habits work against me to keep me overweight. Overall I understand how business works and know that to keep employees along with operational cost, is not cheap! So someday I maybe able to afford the programs but I don’t begrudge anyone that can afford them. I have read how much rehab programs cost and basically that is what SPT is offering for weigh loss.

Jules, We are so sorry you didn’t get to join Bright Lifers. if you’re interested in Bright Lifers, please reach out to our support team! You can contact them by going to support.brightlineeating.com. <3

I am sorry you had to read Josie’s comments but I commend you for facing her issues. Greed is a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed motivated by naked ambition and greed. You have NEVER shown anything but concern, love and well-wishing for success in all your offerings. I think it is quite inappropriate she would assume you knew ahead of time that another program (such as Rezoom) would be needed. I would say to her “How dare you?” Too many people think that anything on the Internet should be free without thinking of the number of employees and the amount of work needed to make the programs work. Perhaps she should re-take Boot Camp and see if you have changed that program with the knowledge you gained to encourage you to do the Rezoom program. I am not a Boot Camp survivor nor a Rezoomer but I think you are doing a fabulous service and it should be rewarded. My sister is in Rezoom and I am very proud of her for her committment to BLE. In being her accountability partner she has made me realize that even I don’t need your specific BLE I could use some changes to my eating habits. Kudos to you Susan! You are doing a great service and I haven’t seen any evidence of greed. Are you buying houses on tropical islands that we don’t know about?

I for one, as someone who is participating in the Reboot Rezoom course, am completely grateful for the program! Happy to pay for the material, time and technology it takes to put something like this together and help so many people at the same time. When you consider what a personal coach and trainer would charge or any other programs I tried, it is reasonable. Considering also that we are given a formula for life, to work with our addiction to sugar, flour and unhealthy eating habits, this is exactly what I needed to continue beyond boot camp. I know what it takes also to have my own business. Susan, everyone has a right to earn a living and provide for their families! We also have a right to happiness and prosperity. Go for it and don’t look back. The service and good health you are spreading is amazing and beautiful.

Hi Susan,
I am sorry that this issue has come up but I am also glad it did . If I take out the harsh part of Josy’s comment and focus on the concern she had, I hear that she was wondering why BLE didn’t just make the adjustments needed to the original plan to make it more successful and then relaunching a new bootcamp, (new and improved), just like a product that started out and along the way was redesigned to better serve the customer. We all appreciate your staff and how much love and hard work you need to put into the program. That’s a fact. Reboot Rezoom has a purpose to up the chances of success of your tribe and if it actually does do that, proven with future statistics to come, maybe the adjustments could be made to the original bootcamp material? And I suggest this with the most loving, kind respect for you and your team.
That’s how I interpreted her comment without the anger and frustration. I hope that this issue will raise positive outcomes for BLE, yourself and tour loving tribe and please know how much you are respected and loved xoxoxoxox

Dear Susan, as a bright lifer and never having met you in person, my impression is you are as far away from greedy as one could get. What I admire most about you is your openness, honesty and transparency. You have walked this journey and continue to walk through it with all of its messiness holding our hands and sharing your knowledge.
My guess is that Jose is struggling and that is tough because we all know what that feels like. However if any one of us really want to succeed we have to own our own crap. You have come out into the open and addressed this issue and Jose has not even with an invitation to speak to a kind and knowledgeable woman as you. Jose is likely projecting her feelings into you. That never turns out well. Keep on shining SPT !!! You are a vet bright light for many of us.❤️❤️❤️

I think you missed the intention of the comment that Josey posted. I hear that if you now have more insight on how to be successful and avoid the steep slope down , that it should become part of the boot camp and offered as an addendum to those who already completed it and have signed on as lifers. When I pay for annual support for software, it pays for product development and upgrades. I feel the cost of Lifers should be similar. Your new or amended material shouldn’t cost so much. I know you have expenses that are building with everything new and expanding the cause, so I don’t think it should be free, but a slight add on for some who did not sign on for life. With love and respect for you and your mission.

I appreciate you talking about this, as I too was saddened by the new program coming out weeks after I’d just paid for boot camp (hadn’t started it yet) and watched all your reboot videos and wanted to do that program instead. But I now, see this reboot program as possibly Step 2. Ya know? Do the bootcamp and if you find yourself in the rocking boat of weightloss instead of what you’d prefer – maybe this next course would help you keep on track, keep rebooting keep rezooming. I’ll just save my money for it. I do want to thank you for your work, your thought into all these programs, so I didn’t have to do it and reinvent that wheel. Maybe there will even be a Step 3 course…. and you might not even know what that is yet… as you haven’t started pondering it yet – but I bet I’ll be interested in it. 🙂

Well said, Cheryl! Enjoy your Boot Camp! You’re in for a great ride! I did my Boot Camp way back in 2015 and have kept almost all of it off. I’m now doing the Reboot Rezoom course which has been so helpful.

Cheryl, you definitely are better off doing the boot camp than the rezoom. Bootcamp is full of important material which in the Rezoom course is assumed as previous knowledge from bootcamp. You have to zoom before you rezoom. 🙂 And perhaps you’ll never need to rezoom!

Cheryl! Welcome to Boot Camp! You’re in the right place. Boot Camp will help lay a great foundation for you to have a strong program and if you need more support later on, we’ll see you on the inside of Reboot Rezoom. 😉 Cheering you on!

Thanks for addressing the financial side of BLE. I think the thought that it’s a shame you have to pay for BLE has crossed our minds, but once we really give it consideration, we realize that yes, it is our lifeline, but it is also a business….a way people earn their living. If others’ weight loss path is like mine, we have all paid many dollars to lose weight in our lifetime without complaining. The difference for me in my BLE journey is that I have the assurance that I can live BLE from now on and keep my weight off. Finances are hard for all of use but we do what we want to do usually. Thank you for your care for us and it can be felt in your VLOGS and your desire to help us lose the weight but more so to keep it off. I am down 56.4 pounds and looking to getting to my right size body, whatever I decide that to be. THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU.

Brenda,
It is a business. But it’s much more than that. Dr. Thompson is building something big, brick by brick. She’s on a mission, and it’s huge. The bulk of BLE profits are re-invested back into BLE so it can grow. Her aim is to provide the world with a legitimate, effective answer to the headlong obesity pandemic, the new plague.
Joseph in Missoula

I would also add that this appears to be your life work. Yes, there seems to be some figuring -out along the way, but you’re taking the time to ask what’s working, what’s not, what holds us back, what helps a step forward and collecting and documenting all the data on this. Overcoming food addiction is proving to be a huge challenge for me. I may not get it in this lifetime. But I like to think that my participation in this program and the research you’re doing well help future generations, including my daughter, to overcome this menacing addiction. Yes. Please charge me to help you figure this out. The work that you’re doing is incredibly important. Thank you Susan.

My impression of you, Susan, is you’re probably not greedy (I’ve been following you for 3 years), but so what if you were? You’re not perfect, and you don’t have to be to give great value to people as you do. And why shouldn’t people on a mission be comfortably supported, if they wish to be? As a musician I’m sometimes told I should just offer my music for free, since I’m already lucky to be able to make music in the first place. But how can I make music to help heal the world if I’m not financially supported? How would you be able to show up as you do, if you have to worry about paying the bills? Of course healers, artists etc. and people on a mission in the world are allowed to strive for financial freedom and being well off while they’re doing their stuff.

Good response, Susan. I am sorry, but not surprised, there are those who don’t recognize the value of your courses. I haven’t been able to join a Boot Camp yet but hope to soon. However, I have gained a wealth of knowledge from all the materials that you have put out for us. You talk about recidivism in other weight loss programs but there is more to the story than that. Folks who joined the Reboot/Rezoom program did so for personal reasons and I applaud them. I would add to your story that in addition to weight loss programs, there are few, if any, programs in any field that would let you rejoin for free. You pay nutritionists each visit, and you pay for college courses each semester. I would compare the cost of your programs to those of higher education classes. I would bet that the wisdom obtained from your courses and materials has far greater value. My $.02 worth.

I feel compelled to respond after listening to the vlog… I did boot camp in the beginning of 2017. I weighed 214 at 5 feet 5. I lost some weight before my actual day one so I started at 209. I signed up for reboot rezoom because my weight hovers at 175 and I would like to be 155. I am an admitted food addict. It is not the program itself that is difficult or hard to understand it is how I feel everyday about following said program. Reboot and Rezoom is so different from boot camp. I am loving the material. Maybe some can do the program and zoom down to goal but others of us struggle.. when the world is telling you that you look fine, when you think you can eat just one piece of chocolate, when you are stressed and eating just feels good that is when new material and thought processes help… I have said over and over to my buddy that the fact I haven’t gained all my weight back as I did with many other programs is a miracle. The fact that I know this works when I work it, is a blessing. The help of the Reboot and Rezoom has been so wonderful for me and worth the cost…I am investing in myself and thanks to this program my blood pressure meds are no longer needed and my pre -diabetes is gone…

Dear Susan,
You give so much in your programs; I would never consider you greedy. Weight loss is a really difficult thing, and BLE is the only program I’ve come across (and as a nutritionist and health coach and medical writer, I’ve come across many) that scientifically deals with the brain, which is so critical. I can see changes in my behavior within the first week, but I know it’s a long-term, if not lifelong, process. I don’t think I’m as susceptible as others on the scale, but it’s still an ongoing struggle. The information and support is invaluable. Keep doing what you’re doing, and don’t feel you have to apologize for making money from your gifts and your business.

Dear Susan,
Unlike Josey, I was surprised and impressed by your integrity, vulnerability, and humanity when you offered the Reboot/Rezoom program! It was so unlike any other “business model” I’ve ever seen and I appreciate that. It felt just the opposite of greedy snake oil saleswoman to me.
Maybe Josey needs to take some responsibility here and “woman up” to her culpability in failing to stick with it… time to face the music (isn’t that a large part of the path to recovery?) Blaming others never helps in personal improvement.
I am a newby to BLE (just completed the 14 day challenge) but I see the benefits already. Whether I pay for the program or not or do it on my own or not, it is my choice and mine alone… and I have to face the consequences of my actions.
I thank you for that choice and all you have to offer!

I also saw that comment, shook my head at the reminder that we live in a world where great numbers of us still believe that there’s a fix. There is no fix, there’s only deepening into the truth that all of life, each darn thing, moves forward in a flow. You’ve suggested, as a result of your deepening work, that it can move on a sine wave or it can move on a series of tsunamis. You’ve developed a course to prevent the cataclysmic force of the tsunami. You, Susan, continue to be a Visionary. You’ve seen that it’s the flawed expectation of the one right answer for ever and ever that’s the problem, a problem that shows up everywhere it is applied. Sacred law as well as human belief and human understanding is evolutionary. And so is Bright Line Eating. And another thing…. You’re building an organization that can sustain you, your family, the ever-growing staff, where you get to do what we who love and trust you need you to continue to do — to be the visionary/thinker/healer/scientist/human-workin’-a-program you’ve been. What I know also is that women of power bring out the trolls and the nasties. Rock on, Doc!

Hey sweet Susan! I so appreciate your candid self-reflection. You are amazingly willing to be vulnurable. That’s a community leadership skill. Your role is so complex as you acknowledge!

What I wish Josey understood is that Bootcamp starts us on the road to recovery – but long term recovery from any addiction is an on-going life style that has to be cultivated and sustained over years and years. Brightline is not a diet, but a culture and a lifestyle in which recovery is learned and ripened for the lifetime.

The one reflection I would like to contribute is that when you recently posted the vlog from your whirlwind trip from an air B&B, talking about flying to London for a concert, then flying to join your husband in NY, then flying to Dallas or somewhere – it did sound sort of like the Lives of the Rich and Famous – an experience far beyond the means of many many of us in the tribe. Even though I’m a staunch supporter and grateful to my core, I wondered during the vlog how much of that trip BLE as an organization paid for and/or how you could afford that when you have start up debts to pay. So, while I totally believe that you are in integrity with how you are walking this road of leadership, I just wanted to add a possible “hang nail” in tribal perception.

Susan, you are WELL worth every cent I’ve paid for the 14 day challenge (for sure!!!), Boot Camp, Bright Lifers and Reboot-Rezoom! I would pay every cent of it over again and again if I knew how wonderful this program was going to work for me. Thank you for being here when I needed you! I’ve done many, many other weight loss programs, none with sustainable success and spent thousands of dollars. This is the only one that’s worked for me and it’s been worth every cent! You are NOT greedy. We just need to be thankful you are here!

Very impressed with your response to the comment by Josey. Honesty and openness are always the best way to deal with difficult issues. Excellent job. I wish you continued success. A reminder that in life there is no free lunch – ever!!!
Sincerely,
Sharon

Nice job, Susan. You are running a business and what’s important for all of us to understand that the intellectual property, coaching, calls and support doesn’t come free. I’m on a FB page, “We Eat Bright With Lines” and there are some folks who have taken the boot camp and describe the 14 Day Challenge as the “bunny slippers” version. I have to admit that I am curious to sign up for Bootcamp and share my experience through my blog, “Fit and Svelte”, but as a writer, whose income goes up and down every month, it’s simply not affordable at the moment. Thank you for addressing this and keep responding to those edgy topics!

Susan,
It’s so great that you had this conversation. Yet, you really have nothing to apologize for. You don’t occur to me as greedy. You occur to me as a person who wants to make beneficial change in the world. Because you charge a fee, you have the resources to increase your reach and make a difference on a much larger scale. It’s probable that if you didn’t charge a fee, I never would have heard of you or your program. Also, if there is no skin in the game (money) there is a diminishment in perceived value and commitment. When I paid, I was declaring to MYSELF that this matters to me.

From my view on life, I see that Josey is missing a critical point about your programs. Your programs are not responsible for my results . The only person responsible for my results in life is ME. I chose your bootcamp because I saw it as a tool or access to achieving a result that mattered to me and I knew it was up to ME to do it as designed if I wanted that result. I did it as designed and I achieved the results I wanted. I did it. Not the program. The program was my chosen pathway. I chose that pathway because it’s a good paths with fewer twists and turns and obstructions than most others. You did the heavy lifting and rigorous work to create a great path but it’s not your job to pull me down the path. It’s my job to walk down the path and avoid going off into the bushes. Your path is better than most so it was easier to follow.

We live in a world in which magic pills are dangled in front of us. The message is pick me so you don’t have to be responsible for an outcome. We’ll do it for you. Just sit back and relax. When I give up my responsibility I have effectively made myself into a victim. I absolve myself of responsibility and accountability. It’s easy to be a victim and blame others. Unfortunately it’s also disempowering, unfulfilling and unpleasant. I prefer to retain ownership of my life. I am the creator of my life. Yes, in reality, there are powerful forces outside myself that have, do, and will impact my life. Being the creator of my life is a stand that makes things possible that are not if I see myself as a victim.

The last thing in the world that you are Susan is greedy! I, too would love to have taken the Rezooming and couldn’t afford it, however, I have no right to call you greedy. You are running a business and have a massive huge heart giving us a blog each week, all the videos free, I can only be thankful to you for who you are, what your represent. Please don’t let one person derail what you think of yourself, that is her opinion, and she is entitled to it. Your work is a miracle to the world and may I and all the tribe be grateful for you.
Love you to the end of the earth! Lots of Love and Blessings to YOU!

Well said. Reboot Rezoom is the only program after the 14 day challenge I could afford. But in the meantime, I’ve received so much information and encouragement and information through Susan’s ongoing efforts.

What a beautifully honest testament of truth. Some people would just tuck that comment away and not address it. By posting this vlog you show us you know who you are as a human being. Your mission in helping others is true. If this were being offered as a free course, some may disvalue it, and there would most likely be less follow through. I look forward to learning more from you and thank you for your mission in helping others like myself who desire to be free from addictive eating.

My take on the fees is this: I’m paying for your expertise to teach , coach and encourage me to reach my goals of weight loss As a side benefit I get to be in groups of people who are doing the same thing and sharing their grief, anxiety, and joys. It’s a life class where we are relearning how to relate to food.
If I were going to a therapist , life coach , nutritionist and trainer the fees would be astronomical. BLE is the best bang for my buck that I have seen anywhere!!!!💕
Susan there is no shame in what you are doing , you couldn’t do it without the funds to continue. We are all on a team of building BLE, with you , for future BLE’ers.

Even pastors are paid. I think everything offered trough BLE is reasonably priced. I didn’t know that BLE offers 60% off any program you alteady paid for once if you sign up again. That’s very generous.

Susan – great vlog! Your response was spot on. Go to any university and try to take a course for free- doesn’t happen.. Success in any aspect of life depends upon the person . Either you give it your all or you don’t – and if you don’t , it’s no ones fault but your own. BLE is a business run by the best CEO who has been down the same road as each of us. While I have only done the 14DC I feel I have a good road map down the weight loss highway. And should I need better direction, it’s great to know there is another course that is offered at the university! Thank you for you and your staff – our lives are better because if you all!❤️

I see this also as an issue of what we used to cal l “women’s work”
The work that requires empathy and persistence understanding and compassion . This work was expected to be free, because it’s “womens work “ a lot of the wage gap in traditionally women’s work is caused by this phenomenon .
And the guilt worked on you, just as it is designed too. How do we charge people for love and compassion? We must be greedy right?
Just charge what it’s worth to you , true up your promises , and don’t waste your precious energy on justifying what doesn’t need justification.
Also I recommend the Soul of Money Institute, with a Lynn Twist , she does great work on this topic

I love you!! You’re the girl next door! So real and approachable…love your style and all you offer. No way are you greedy!!! You work hard for us and deserve all you receive. In another life, you’d be my best friend!
Thanks for all you do!

Don’t fret over people who think everything should be free. I signed up for BLE and found it wasn’t the correct path for me. I was reimbursed immediately.
And I still get to hear you and have great respect for you and what you do.
Keep up the good work and rest easy

Oh, my dear Susan angel, greedy is far far far from what you are!! When I first listened to the free Food Freedom videos, I was floored that you were providing those for free! Thought, what a generous lady!! One could go away with those and your book and get it all, if they wanted to. What you offer, and with your life’s experiences….this is so hard to write because I want you to just know that what you offer is not only life changing, but life saving and highly highly valuable. The support systems here are unmatched and I know that this kind of support does not come cheap. Also to reply to Laurel who did not like you promoting other products, I feel the exact opposite!!! I love your bringing attention to the causes that matter, and I am extraordinarily grateful for your carefully chosen ones! Especially!!!!! Charity Water and Ocean Robbins!!! Without you I would never have know about Charity Water, or also the Atomic Habits. PLEASE continue!! I am extraordinarily grateful for knowing about these things that would not have crossed my desk.

Hi Susan. I, too, am glad Josey brought up this topic because it’s frustrating to have to purchase yet another program because of not being successful at the first one. I applaud that you’ve made a repeat of Boot Camp 60% off the original, price, but since it’s hundreds of dollars to begin with, why not offer 1 repeat free, or discount it even further? And as for paying extra for Bright Life and Rezoom, perhaps a pricing structure that takes into account what people have already invested financially in Bright Line programs would be appropriate? I mean, by your own admission, your programs have become hugely successful around the world, and I’m sure they’d spread even further if more people could afford them. I’m one of those people. I don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend (or “invest” or “pay”) on your programs, as much as I might want to. And wouldn’t it be cool if you sought out dome morbidly obese individuals who had hundreds of pounds each to lose and offered them your entire program FOR FREE as a public service? Sorry, just as your vlog was a little rambly, so is this comment. I have enormous respect for what you have accomplished, but maybe Amy (comment above) has a point.

Wow! This vlog really got me thinking. To be honest, at one point, I thought that you were charging way too much for your programs. In our society where many people expect something for nothing, some think that the world owes them. When I see how much work you put into the BLE program, the time you spend away from your husband and children, and the sleepless nights you spend planning ways to help us, your programs are worth every cent. I have not been able to join the boot camp because of financial reasons, but I bought the book, I watch the videos, and I follow your Facebook page. I have released 60 lbs in 6 months. I have also led about a dozen people to your BLE plan. Would I like to take your boot camp? Of course! Maybe someday I will, but for now, I’m on the road to “Happy, Thin and Free!”

As a business owner I find fault with anyone who does believe in profit. Making a profit doesn’t make a person greedy it make a person able to retain good employees and continue to stay in business. Making a big profit allows the research to continue, helps us get new technology and keep us all moving forward Happy Thin and Free! Never apologized for running a profitable business it is what keeps us going.

I believe there are a lot of non profit programs for addiction out there. If that’s what an individual needs I lovingly invite them to go there!

I have to continue from the last post…..you work incredibly hard for the tribe, put your heart and soul in your work, and have an outstandingly and amazing comprehensive program!!! Worth every cent and then some!!!

Hi Susan, my hope is that you become a trillionaire for everything that you have done to change so many peoples lives and improve their health! You have taken on a beast of an industry (food industry) and are teaching people a different way to live! Unfortunately, you will always have people coming after you because of this or that, comes with the territory. So many people respect and love you, I’m a huge fan❤️ Love you to pieces and hold you with the utmost respect!

I’m 2 weeks in on the program after buying your book and I cant even begin to tell you how amazing I feel not only with dropping a few pounds (first time in years it hasnt gone up!!), but with the knowledge I gained about myself and the way my mind/body works. Then on top of that small price for the book I get these amazing vlogs and emails full of incredible info for free! Just because I signed up and they didnt cost a cent! Like I get up every day just sooooo damn thankful I found this information when I did. I have spent TONS of $$ trying to lose the weight. Would I pay to be a part of a group that will pick me up, dust me off and set me on the path again should I need help – Yessssss. Should you charge – Yessssss. If Bright Line Eating wasnt a viable business we wouldn’t have you around to share this to the masses. I hope you don’t spend a minute more trying to justify your self or your business to someone who can just say No to what they dont want and move on. I wish you tons more success and hope it rains $$ into your business so you can continue to do what you do and your blessing to others increases.

Susan, I won’t deny that when the RBRZ course was offered, I had to think long and hard about whether I could afford to spend the money for the course. I argued with myself that I had paid for the Boot Camp but I hadn’t been able to stick to the Bright Lines consistently so perhaps I should go back to the Boot Camp materials and just JFTFP.. But, I listened to the videos you released and they made sense to me and eventually, I decided to go for RBRZ. I was pleasantly surprised to find that being a Bright Lifer got me a discount. I had to start the course a few days later than the “official” start date – my mother’s funeral was on Day 1 and I knew that until that had happened and all guest had departed i wouldn’t be able to concentrate – so my Day 1 was actually Day 4. I can only tell you that I have had more consecutive Bright Line days since I started RBRZ than I have ever had before. I love the bonuses and I have found them very useful indeed. I love the Daily Videos and find them very helpful and somehow reassuring and I love the modules. I have lost a little weight and even more importantly, I am starting to build a better relationship with the food that I eat. I am more forgiving of myself and I am much more peaceful around my food. Thank you, thank, for creating this course. I was going to add that I wish you would allow us to download the material so that we could keep going back to it. I would not be able to afford to pay for the course again, even with the Bright Lifer’s discount. I hadn’t listened to the end of your vlog at that point and now I know that if I do decide that I need RBRZ again in the future, I’ll get a 60% discount. That makes it a bit more doable and it is very generous.

I am so grateful for what you do Susan. I really value the science that you give us and I value the compassion and understanding in RBRZ. The course goes into BLE in more depth and it is worth every single penny. I have no idea whether you are greedy or not – if you can’t know I’ve can’t imagine how anyone else would know. My gut feeling is that you are not greedy. What I know is that RBTZ is more helpful to me than anythjing else I have encountered in the BLE world, even though I still can’t participate fully in Experiment 1. I need to invite people in rather than have them in buty I have used one of the bonuses to interrogate this tendency and I’m peaceful about my decision.

I am rambling on I know but I just want to try to convey to you how very grateful I am to you for all you do. Again, thank you..

Susan Peirce Thompson, how dare you be so awesome! I will say, on a personal note regarding BLE finances, that I decided to join the Boot Camp this year in large part so you would get some money from the fact that I lost 40 lbs. doing BLE for free on my own last year. I got your book FOR FREE from the library and watched all your FREE vlogs on YouTube, followed the program and it works.
In one of your vlogs you mentioned that you pay your staff a decent wage with full benefits – I respect that greatly and I want to support a business like that. I want to support your mission. And I am getting huge value from the Boot Camp, so it’s win-win all the way. (I’m looking toward maintenance so support will be key.)
In today’s vlog I appreciate your willingness to grasp the edgy topic fully by the horns and wrestle with it. I like your acknowledgement that we live in a messy food environment, and I would add we also live in a messy financial environment (called capitalism). I see you navigating that messy environment with integrity and willingness to re-evaluate yourself and your thinking with honesty. Keep up the good work and I hope Josey gets in touch.

Susan: I vote 0.5 for Josey’s point of view and 99.5 for yours. I loved this vlog because it wasn’t smooth and slick! It was contemplative and heartfelt. And full of integrity. And honesty. There is the question of whether you should accept money for doing the things you love, and this is a quandary I am grappling with these days.
On the BLE front, I find the greatest free support comes to me in your weekly vlogs! You discuss not only food addiction, but many other moral and personal questions, that helps me to sort out my own discomforts. Thank you so much….don’t abandon us! With love back to you, and admiration.
Beautiful comments above….a great read.

Thank you for addressing that comment! Made me think. I did the 14 day challenge and the Boot Camp and bright lifers starting in October 2017. Didn’t achieve significant weight loss, found myself still addicted and chasing after NMF, frustrated and hating myself.

ReZoom got my buy-in. I had to admit that I had never done the program fully. ReZoom gave me a chance to start over, do it right, in the context of individuals who needed to do exactly that. I have now talked with people by phone, done some work on Facebook, and while I am not yet crispy clean, I no longer go to three Different Starbucks in a row to buy NMF without having to face the same barista.

I am off flour and sugar and recognize how it happens that I fall off the wagon and what I need to change so that doesn’t happen again in quite the same way! Thank you thank you thank you. Being free of cravings is so astonishing, and now I think I’m gonna make a phone call!

I am always asking the question, “Is this of value, and will it work?” So far I am receiving value, and I am working it. So thank you. I have been on the merry-go-round sometimes there is a discount and sometimes, not. Here’s to BLE and me.

I’m paying for the Rezoom course because I want to learn the science and how to apply it to rebooting my career, my exercise program . . . and all of the various initiatives that I start and stop throughout the course of my life. It’s not about losing what I gained but about gaining what I lost by stopping initiatives that served me. Of course your intellectual property has value and of course I should expect to pay for it.

Interesting comment by Josey. I have always perceived you as being incredibly open, honest, gracious and generous with your time, care and information. The care you take with everyone who encounters you is manifest in the effort you spent to put her comment in the proper psychological perspective – e.g., the friend vs. the taxi driver. Indeed, you are so personal we do come to think of you as a friend. You and your behind-the-scene minions deserve reasonable recompense! i give you at least four attaboys/attagirls for this post.

BTW, Spousenik, passing by as I listened, marveled that you can come up with things to post each week. Kudos, keed!

Susan, I appreciate the work you do, it’s definitely helping a lot of people. The only thing I notice though is your tendency to make the person who is trying (and/or failing) to lose weight be somehow morally “wrong or bad”, in a similar way to AA or OA (grops I take issues with for this very reason).

Example: the very name of this vlog – weight loss “recidivism” – if you look that work up in the dictionary, it refers to a convicted criminal who “re-offends”, and I’ve noticed other areas too, where despite being a brain scientist and your programs being based so much on science, I hear just a “little” of that morality and judgement coming through. People who regain weight after losing it or fall off their programs are not even close to re-offending criminals and I don’t think they should be referred to with the same word. When I started watching the video, I was hoping that it was the person who commented who had initially used that word, and you were just repeating it, but I wasn’t surprised that it was a word specifically chosen by you to describe this issue.

I’ve tried to ignore it and view your work in the light it has been given, with love, integrity and honor, but I really do take issue with weight gain after weight loss being referred to as “recidivism”…there are a lot of other words that could be used without that “moral/wrongdoing/”offending” connotation (like relapse or setback). Referring to people who re-gain some of their weight or falling off their program with the same word used to describe a convicted criminal who re-offends (and other small morality things I’ve heard in some of your vlogs – reminiscent of the judgment of AA) is one of the main reasons I have not to-date chosen to join one of your courses. Susan, words matter – they speak to what a person REALLY thinks about things and what their REAL view is on things (or other people).

Susan- thank you for addressing this topic. I was one who was blown away by the cost; not because I thought you were greedy but it was just out of my reach. I was desperate for a way back into BLE. I had done the October 2016 boot camp and had lost 40 pounds over 4-5 months. Then slowly made exceptions and gained most of it back. I KNOW your program works and I believe that is the difference between Josey and I. I put the blame on myself for not FTFP not on you for having a ‘flawed’ program.
Anyway, I’m sorry that you had to explain how business works and the difference between yourself, who has been extremely transparent with us, and others in the same business who are not only not transparent but are withholding the truth from their customers.
Thanks for all you do and continue to do to help those of us who are in need!
P. S. I posted in the RBRZ FB group when it was open to the public about my desperation and was held up by so much encouragement and love! I am now successfully rezooming with the help of a couple of buddies! Thank you again Susan!

You will always have blamers in a weight loss program bc …. duh… that’s what drove themto a weight loss program in the first place: needed help! Whether or not the blame is right or appropriate should be of no concern. You are successful at your mission(job). some are not and within the “not” group are the blamers ….. which ( incidentally ) is why they can’t lose as much weight as they wish!!!

Susan, congrats on handling that difficult criticism with tact and grace. I personally do not agree with Josey’s complaint. And while I do think she was calling you “greedy,” I don’t think it was because she sees you as a friend. I think it was because she believes that BLE should have worked for everyone the first time, and that that is what you promised in Boot Camp. Well, BLE DOES WORK THE FIRST TIME if you JFTFP! I am living proof. I followed it, I lost all the weight I, I got to maintenance, I then followed that program and I stay in my goal range. However, this is not everyone’s story because addiction, as you pointed out, is very messy and extremely difficult. You have told us that you had clean bright lines for more than 8 years and then they all of a sudden got wonky and stayed wonky for quite awhile when you started BLE and completely upended your life (and thank God for us that you did!). From that you learned about the Reboot/Rezoom phenomenon, used the knowledge yourself, and now have offered it to us. Of course you should charge for the course. No one should expect your time or intellectual capital to be free. You are not greedy. You are a business woman. One who is offering an amazing product that totally WORKS as you promise. Thank you for all that you offer to us.

Hi Susan I equate this to a story told to me by a pastel artist recently. He was demonstrating in public. A person in the crowd observing him asked how much he was charging for the picture he’d just completed and when told the price this person responded that it had taken the artist only 30 minutes to complete how dare he charge that price. The artist’s response was ‘Yes, it took 30 minutes and 25 years’. People buying your products are tapping into your Psychology degree, your research, your networking, your sustained effort, your current thinking and strategising on how to get people to achieve their eating objectives and you should not have to apologise for charging for that. I have not been able to buy one of your products but I have benefitted from all the free stuff I find on line for which I am truly grateful. Keep your head up high and don’t listen to the detractors. With love.

Thanks for addressing Josey’s comment. I know you didn’t have to do that, and the fact that you did is appreciated. That said…

While I understand that a lot of the profit goes back into the business – the fact is that the cost of the rezoom is out of a lot of people’s reach. Obviously I don’t think or expect your program should be free – I believe you should be fairly paid for the research you’ve done and the work you’ve put in. And I paid for the boot camp, I did the 14 day Challenge, I paid for and joined Bright Lifers. I bought the book. I did a SECOND boot camp. I’ve put so much money into the program.

I really need the Rezoom Reboot but when I saw how much it cost I almost cried. My question is: when the Rezoom gets stale or doesn’t work, what will the next program cost? Eight hundred? A thousand? If the rezoom is an add-on or amendment to the program I’ve already paid for, why does it feel like I’m paying for a whole new program? Could you cut those of us who’ve already given you a significant amount a break? I was excited to get a discount for being a bright lifer but even WITH the discount it cost six hundred bucks. I couldn’t pay it.

And reading the comments above – well, there are obviously plenty of people who will say that no matter what you do it’s perfect and magical. I completely understand why Josey didn’t want to join you on Facebook Live to air her complaints. It’s obvious she would get dismissed by your supporters in real time. Hard enough to speak up in the first place.

I’ve learned a lot from reading your books and doing your program. I have no beef with Bright Line Eating in itself. It worked for me, until it didn’t. I’d love to figure out how to amend that, but it seems I simply can’t afford to. Overall, this entire experience has left a bad taste in my mouth. In parting I’d say – I wish that you would put our money into taking care of people who have already paid for this program BEFORE putting our money into expanding this business. Current customers should still be a priority.

Hi Liz! We are sad to hear you have a bad taste for BLE in your mouth and want to let you know Reboot Rezoom is not $600. If there’s something our team could address for you personally, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by heading to support.brightlineeating.com. We’d love to chat further with you. Lots of love to you Liz! <3

I think there must be some miscommunication here.
The charge that comes up for the program is 497.00 US.
When converted to CA funds, the total was 696.01, so just shy of $700.00.
I don’t know how anyone got it at 300.00 unless they had a discount from being a Bright Lifer.
Or perhaps, in whatever currency, the price comes out quite differently?
Thanks for clarifying .

Keep doing what ur doing!! If I could afford everything u put out I certainly would do it all!! God Bless U that U care and put ur heart and soul into Everything u offer people that struggle!! Ur truth and care of people is priceless!! God Bless the work and the heart that u have for people that r suffering and that u desire soo much for them to b better stronger, healthier!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Oh my! It takes all kinds of opinions! And who is the greedy one here! The resources, time, money, sacrifice, love, passion, and integrity, needed to produce a high quality product that will potentially help thousands of people, absolutely ‘hungry’ for this information is most certainly worth the investment! Thank you for your work Susan and to your staff…high five!!

On the subject: you offer your knowledge and expertise and, as any other professional, are perfectly right to expect to get paid for it. End of. Any emotive language about “greed” is simply hypocritical and totally out of order. After all, nobody is forced to enroll and if people do or decide not to, it is their choice.

Susan, Just the fact that you addressed the comment proves that you are not greedy! You are seriously the most giving woman on the planet! A business is a business, which means in your case, true altruism! Money is not your objective, we are! I love you and I know you love me!

“Henry Ford, whose electrical engineers couldn’t solve some problems they were having with a gigantic generator, called Charles Steinmetz in to the plant. Upon arriving, Steinmetz rejected all assistance and asked only for a notebook, pencil and cot. Steinmetz listened to the generator and scribbled computations on the notepad for two straight days before climbing on a ladder and making a mark on the side of the generator. Then he told Ford’s skeptical engineers to remove a plate at the mark and replace sixteen windings from the field coil. They did, and the generator performed to perfection.
Henry Ford was thrilled until he got an invoice in the amount of $10,000. Ford acknowledged Steinmetz’s success but balked at the figure. He asked for an itemized bill. Steinmetz, responded with the following:
*Making chalk mark on generator $1.
*Knowing where to make mark $9,999.
Ford paid the bill.”

Susan, your knowledge comes at a price both to us and to you. The price you paid for what you know is incalculable once pain and suffering are added to the cost of your education; this knowledge is worth giving you a comfortable life. I happen to have the means to pay you for the bootcamp I joined two weeks ago and so far I am getting good value for my money so no complaints. You are also a neuroscientist so you know the research on happiness and the hedonic treadmill (walking {or acquiring} more and more but staying in the same place.) I like to imagine you have this in check precisely because you are smart, educated, and willing to be vulnerable in your outreach. That said, you are also a school of sorts and schools seek scholarship funding precisely so that they can help some of the people that can’t afford them. The concept of skin in the game is also important and one of the reasons I don’t pay full college tuition for my own children. Just things to ponder…..

‘hedonic treadmill’ is a fabulous description of all sorts of ‘greed’. I particularly resonate with the description of acquiring more and more but staying in the same place. Hence the new[?] emphasis on simplifying, minimalism and tiny house ways of coping with less and being happier and more at peace. BLE strikes me as a focus on coping with less and therefore achieving an unexperienced peace. I love the story Myra. and your review of Susan’s school of skin in the game.

I must say I felt the same way as Josey RN at one point in time. Anger included. I felt like This is expensive and basically her coming up with Reboot Rezoom IS her admitting the program doesn’t work. But since December, I have made some insights of my own, and I conclude that: The need for SPT to offer Reboot Rezoom as a FREE add-on or update to products that you already paid for would be saying that the other products never worked for anyone period, and that’s not true. BLE works for a lot of people the first go round. And she never claimed it would work for everyone. Honestly speaking as someone who this program wasn’t working for until very recently, I discovered there is sometimes personal, inner work you must do before it works for you. YOU have to figure out what mentalities keep you on track. The rules that she gives you to follow work. The mentalities and mantras that she offered to keep us following the rules didn’t work (FOR ME.) I had to read Never Binge Again to find a mentality that worked. Once I applied that prospective to my food journey, it helped a TON, BUT it became clear to me that the only thing actually making even that mentality work for me was ME! My choice and my willingness to employ the mentalities. Really, it solely comes down to realizing that this is a commitment. And I am the one who has to honor the commitment. PERIOD. That’s it. YOU have to commit to it. YOU have to take responsibility for your body and DO it. everyday. It is common for people in BLE to say the program works when you work the program, and it is true. YOU have to FIND a way to make the program work for you AND COMMIT TO IT. Although I completely empathize with Josey’s frustration about the extra charges, I don’t think it is wrong for Susan to charge for the extra course because that’s extra work she had to do to offer it, and she can’t work for free. Neither can her team that supports her in getting it out. The goal here is to get people happy thin and free, and it’s a very complex thing to do because different people have different things blocking them from getting there. This is an additional service that MAY help more people get there. But YOU have to do the work that gets you there. These are all just tools to help you craft your freedom. They are not magic pills. So you may need to leverage other tools that aren’t here to help you get there, like I did.

Very very well expressed.
I think we live in a society that expects instant results with little or no effort.
That simply is not realistic.
Oddly enough, the people that want it ‘free’ or ‘instantly’ would balk at anything that curbs they view as an infringement on their freedom of choice.
In fact, when Susan lays it on the line ‘here are the tools that work, please use them’ , there is plenty of grumbling and making of excuses.. The refusal to DO what is required. Instead of owning the refusal, some try to blame the program.
Susan provides the tools and the framework of support, to assist us in getting to OUR goals. But the decision and determination to act, to use those tools is entirely in our corner. If we fritter away the opportunity, we have no right to get annoyed at Susan. If we continue to need support once the program is done, it is only reasonable that we pay for her time and the time of her staff. Just like a personal trainer. They provide support, but we have to do the work.

Nice you took the time and thought to answer a “difficult” comment. Not everyone does this. I enjoy listening to your thinking. I am not perfect, but find that by listening and reading about healthy eating keeps me in line. I don’t always agree with everyone I subscribe to, but if I keep thinking along the healthy path, it’s positive and will ultimately keep me healthy.

Susan you handled this topic beautifully. It is messy. Running a business these days on the internet requires branding It is only when I began to listen to your vlogs did I start to relax about where you are coming from. I haven’t signed up. I weigh 125 pounds and have dysregulated eating. I avoid eating for some crazy reason having to do with habits and conditioning and not reading the signals and illness. It is messy but your take down of the brain stem contribution to this state of affairs is the first thing I’ve come across that illuminates the problem for me. I am not sure if it is for me but some elements are. I am working on a keystone habit of committing to my food the night before to take my thinking offline. If I nail that I’ll consider the program. You JOSEY articulated some of my concerns when I see highly branded programs and the techniques they use to get p eople to pay . So I applaud her as well but maybe she was a bit rude about it. Thank the anonymity of the internet chat world for that. Must have hurt. Susan you did great with this one. Anyone who has run a business kno s start up years are 24/7 work and super stressful. Jose if you are an R.N maybe you could consider that Susan’s work is shifting the data AND th eparadigm everyone is working with by a including the brain and not blaming the person. Great vlog!

When we pay for something, we tend to value it more. When I signed up for the Boot Camp it cost close to $1,000. I didn’t stop my exercise routine and was hungry for the first 7 weeks of BLE . However, I did not quit because I had spent the money and was determined to keep with it and get my “money’s worth”. I am so grateful to SPT for bringing BLE to life and continuing to educate, encourage and support this community. I am happy in my right sized body. That in itself is priceless.

Very good response, honest and compassionate on a definite twitchy subject for some. I continue to learn about myself in every BLE course I sign-up for. I am grateful for BLE and hope to someday put all the pieces together to be successful❤️

In this system, in our world, nobody moves mountains off the cuff and on the cheap. It’s not about greed. It’s about reducing the obesity pandemic that plagues our modern world. Hats off to Dr. Thompson and her praiseworthy mission.
Joseph in Missoula

Hi Susan. I agree with so many of these comments. Your programs are so valuable and even though I am “frugal” by nature, I would say they are worth way more than what you charge. All of them. I think instead of looking within to contemplate whether you are greedy, I would look within and ask why you felt you had to explain yourself to this woman. You did not need to do this although I always appreciate how open and honest you are. I am sending tons of love to Josie for whatever she is going through and my deepest of gratitude to you, Susan.

Hi Susan,
I certainly don’t mind paying for this investment. No problem. The o my issues have is paying for it in one lump sum. I would prefer to spread payments out but your payment program is horrifically expensive. It almost 50% higher which the average person can’t afford.

Hi Susan,
I want to thank you for all the amazing information you’ve given to me! Much of it free, by the way! Your weekly vlogs are extremely motivating and helpful. The multiple video series that you have put together are educational and informative. I’ve purchased your book, (which I’ve re-read several times) and done the 14 DC. I hope to do more when I ‘m no longer paying for three educations for my kids-lol! Thank you! Thank you, for all that you do and keep it up!! ❤️

Susan, you are definitely NOT greedy! I am a senior citizen on a fixed income and no, I have not signed up for the Boot Camp because frankly I can’t afford it — yet. But I did buy your book, and a food scale, and I watch your blogs every week. I also watch all the free webinars that you recommend. I was “obese” when I first heard about BLE and depending on what I put down now as my height on the BMI scale (I was 5’4″ before menopause but have “shrunk” to 5’2-1/2″ now), I’m either “normal” or just slightly overweight, thanks to following your food program. It’s the first time in my life I’ve been able to lose weight and KEEP it off, but I do have to “rezoom” from time to time because I am way up there on the susceptibility scale myself. I LOVE to eat! I believe in paying for a person’s expertise and the courses you offer are worth every penny for that alone — your expertise. The past couple of years have really been hard on me financially but I do expect in the near future to be able to afford the boot camp, and even the rezoom program if necessary, and I will willingly pay the price. I also know how generous you are to other people, so again, you are NOT greedy! Do not let one negative comment put any doubt in your mind about the wonderful work you are doing. And OF COURSE you should be paid for it! Would Josey expect to go to a doctor because of a bothersome illness and not pay for his treatment? When it comes to my own health, both mental and physical, I want someone who really knows what they’re talking about and I’m willing to pay for their knowledge. Keep up the good work!

Hi Susan: please don’t give another thought to your being greedy. What you have given me is priceless
And can’t be found anywhere else. In my 89 years and plenty of searching never have been so successful
And Happy Thin and Free. We love you and what you offer, being quite new to BLE I would like information
On becomeing a brightlifer, and I know it is not free.

It is ridiculous that someone criticizes the requirement to pay for this course. You are an expert and we are paying for your expertise. You do the research, review the literature and apply it, pay your staff of 30 (small business owner), deliver a very intricate and integrated product to your clients/students/customers and give of yourself to make this a very personalized/customized experience for each and every one of us! We get a huge value for our $500!

Dear Susan, I am one of those people that took in everything you said, and it works. I have built habits, and developed automaticity around bright lines. And it has worked crystal clearly for 136 days (so far). I have to admit, all the videos and the full court press on reboot rezoom became overwhelming. I felt saturated. So on one sense, I recognize that some people take longer, struggle more, and that is what the reboot rezoom movement is for. I just want to weigh in and be a voice in the wilderness that when someone likes me does develop the automaticity that you taught, there isn’t a high need for more. JWTFP, you know? So for now, I’m good. Things are going well. The program as originally created actually works for a lot of us. I just organized an in person gathering of people in my community who do BLE. Most of them are like me. Just dong the program because it works. I sought out in person gathering so I could depend less on Facebook, and technology in general. And I’m really happy that I did. I am a geek about the science, so I will always be interested in what you are learning and sharing. I just want to reiterate that we can tap into our inner wisdom with the benefits around automaticity. This may be influenced by my philosophy of parenting and now counseling which in essence seeks to teach myself out of a job. For what it’s worth, I had something to say and took this opportunity to say it. Love you bunches. Thanks again for all you are doing.

I couldn’t read all the comments so I don’t know if anyone mentioned this. I could never afford most of your programs but when you offered the 2 weeks for $29 I could do it. And because I paid money for it, I stuck to it! Even though I haven’t continued to stick to it , it gave me tools to use and hope to continue. Thank you!

Susan,
Whoa, girl! Greedy? I can see your struggle with the line of generosity, friendship, and business.
Whoa.
You sold me research-based information about nutrition a,addiction, food, and healthy self-care while giving me carefully planned opportunities to uncover my own relationship dilemmas so I can embrace my best self.
Thank you.
When I’m whining and criticizing someone, that’s notmebestself.
I let go of 63 lbs two years ago. RBRZ is Avery tinrlyrrsearch-based offering so I can reinvigorate my habit stack, learn new information, and brighten my program. If I go to a health club to get fit, I can’t compjain two years later when they want to charge me for coming again!!Greedy? No, you are a professional with a product and service to sell. And it works! And you deliver it with authenticity, heart, and easy access to a ”friendship” relationship as well as professional coaching. We’re good, girl.
It is okay with me that you are successful! Better than the mainstream food industry. They keep charging us and much of the food marketed is not good for us!
Keep on being you! I am thrilled that I have benefited from your knowledge and happy to contribute to your success.

Great weekly vlog Susan, as usual. You are running a business and you do it well. There is much we can access for free, and for that many of us are greatful. I thank you for providing an invaluable service that has led me on an overall wellness journey. I applaud you and your team!
With love and gratitude,
Lynn

Thank you for your response and for being gracious under fire. Thank you for being you and sharing your experience, strength, hope and expertise (education and research).

You are a neuro scientist and hold a PhD. I expect you to charge for your courses. I’ve spent thousands on other programs (Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Isagenix) over the last 13 years that didn’t ever get me to my goal weight/body… I have paid for one Bootcamp and just signed up for Bright Lifers (less than a thousand) and I’ve been more successful on BLE than any of those other programs. I am a fast loser (who knew) so I am very close to my goal weight/body now with BLE…yayyy! But, if I #needed Reboot/Rezoom I would do it in a heartbeat because I trust you. This must be difficult to do because this is your calling. But you have bills too, just like we do! Your response to her was from a rigorously honest and integrity-based place, so thank you.

I’m sorry Josie is feeling ripped off and that she tried to shame you publicly. Hopefully she will come to some understanding about problems, solutions needed/fulfilled, business and BLE soon.

Hi Susan
There is a system in society called Battering, you have something I need therefore I need to give you something in return, it’s this crazy thing called money! When a person give someone else something in return for their product, knowledge etc it also makes that person appreciate all the effort and take it seriously . If it’s given for free there is no gratitude. Continue who you are you will loose some but gain many with love Hayley

There is a line that most benevolent, soulful people can relate to in the classic movie “Cool Hand Luke”…”STOP HANGING ON ME!”…you’ll have to watch it again-to gain the context…but it is amazing to me how easy it is to get to that point if you are a “leader”.

When you are bright-have toiled hard to PAY for your education, have done years of soul searching and take everyone’s comments seriously in your personal journey….there will be the occasional comment that gives a person pause…You are so evolved to be able to bring it up to the “masses” and roll it around and invite comment.

When in the creative, juicy phase of the next thing-it is easier to not take those comment so personally. When in the phase of post creation and into the maintenance…it can dig in and sit there with us.

Maintenance is always the bugger boo-in anything!!! And the going back and learning and trying again-and again-and again…is just reality. The habituation phase is still one that can be rocked by any number of things-it IS just a bit “easier” to rezoom once you get there-or find you are in a place in your life where you have more body messages as to the consequences of any given choice….

Perhaps-it is not what is said-but how it was said-with such vitriol and judgement. Don’t forget Susan-that you have paid for and worked to gain experience in a PhD level of your field-and give a LOT of GREAT things away for free, and are trying to maintain your own little “university”. ..with it’s staff, child care, travel and connection and more learning and growing opportunities all the time.

You are very astute-and I am always blown away-not necessarily by the weight loss base messages-but by the “grow to be a better human being” efforts that always come across as the crux of your mission.

You either need to be paid reasonably and be able to pay and run the staff who help you run the business-or-you would need to go on to some other horizon-and have folks deal with their issues in another format…which is also possible…who will ever know the future…but for now? I re-watch a lot of your vlogs and talk out loud to myself a lot. ..all free! I have adopted many of your strategies-and fail and rezoom on a regular basis…but-I am feeling better-and have a sliver of hope-not in weight loss-but in body health-and so-you have helped many people.

Have a bunny slipper day, enjoy your family and know you are rezooming in another area of your life and you always bring your best that you have at any given moment…what more can a person do? xoxoClaire

Hi Susan, I have a lot of “friends” who aren’t capable of helping me become happy, thin and free. I’m thrilled you aren’t my friend and instead you are a knowledgeable professional who CAN help me. That is what I’m paying for. You offered a service and I paid for it. You happen to be very likeable which makes all of this so much easier. Keep doing what you do.

I get where Josey is coming from in that (1) SPT as a professional understands weight loss recidivism and (2) as a 12-stepper SPT understands that success (at least for some of us) requires ongoing maintenance/engagement rather than a class now and again. I also understand that for some us, $500 is A LOT of money.

The nature of weight loss maintenance is such that perhaps BLE’s OA-like structure is more in line with a one-time fee and then a monthly fee. I think the business model of charging for classes repeatedly is a bit disingenuous. However, BLE is just getting off the ground and needs to start somewhere. The business model and the service in the long run will likely be a monthly fee structure and may offer Boot Camp for free to on-board people.

RE: SPT being greedy. IMHO it’s not relevant. The customer decides. If you don’t get value, ask for a refund or don’t buy the product.
RE: SPT and BLE. SPT is great but I see BLE as a separate thing that exists apart from BLE. BLE needs more high-level pros like SPT.

Susan, I’ve never had a whif of thinking of you as selfish. You are a beautiful generous soul and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the free content you put out on your weekly vlogs. I know that takes time that you share for free. I hope the resources continue to come in so you can hire more staff for individual BlE coaches for those who need it. I have my name on the list!

All I can say Susan, is I truly love you from the depth of my soul. And I’ve never met you!
I’’m doing all
I can stay in your courses. They are life changing and I pray all will see the phenomenal value!
Don’t ever stop doing what you are doing!

Hey Susan
The ‘tribe’ is behind you all the way. Bright Line Eating principles works if you MAKE it work. I see the BLE tribe as pioneers that are changing the face of eating and education around eating habits with every careful bunnystep we take. Thank you for being so honest and for taking the time to vlog us. I learn more and more everytime I reach out to the online community.

Simply put. I chose not to get some of the “extras” because it would be tough on my budget at this time. I didn’t blame you for charging a fee. It took years for you to get this far, why would I resent you needing to charge a fee? That’s stupid. Look at it this way, all doctors and professionals charge fees and sometimes we can’t afford them at a certain time.. Carry on!

I don’t see it as greed, I see it as good old American entrepreneurship. Many of the principles of BLE (planned meals, weighed and measured portions, eliminating flour and sugar) are the same principles as Food Addicts Anonymous and some of the Overeaters Anonymous programs (HOW O.A., e.g.) Both of those programs are free and both offer some measure of social support. However, for those of us who can’t do face to face meetings or multiple support calls a day, or whose beliefs do not mesh with 12 Steps, those programs don’t provide the kind of support we need in a form which we can integrate into our lives. BLE leverages technology, e.g. Facebook, videos, conference calls, combines a charismatic leader (Dr. Thompson) as not only a guide and mentor, but someone who has been there, done that, and found a solution which works for her and is working for others. Finally, I wonder: Does anyone accuse Drs Atkins, Ornish, Stillman or Fuhrman of greed?

Susan,
You offer plenty of content for free. The only thing I paid for was the 14 day challenge. I score at the bottom of the susceptibility index. I’m not a food addict. The most helpful material in the 14 day challenge was the amount guidelines. I’m not perfect in my eating, I’m just good enough to keep off the weight I lost and the constant reinforcement is what is most helpful for me.

Susan, I know that you have packaged the science and long term issue of weight loss in a very approachable way for someone who beat herself up for 35 years over having no control, feeling helpless. Sugar is my big enemy and in no world is it useful except possibly medicinally. You have no control over what brings those who have been successful to a place where they no longer continue. So, offering a new viable program for people who fall off makes complete sense and has little to do with what you teach in previous programs. It sounds like someone who falls and can’t pick themselves up needs a way to continue to be a victim rather than take responsibility for what they have done. Meantime, not charging makes us less invested and by the way you should be paid for what brilliance you bring to the world, especially in this space. I also work with a nutritionist and your science put everything she said into the right perspective. Without it, “no sugar at all?? Why?? Are you kidding??? “ thank you for my health!

Dear, dear Susan……you are such a beautiful person. Yes the lady had a right to voice how she felt and I think you are a very sweet to
Take the time to answer her. You are not greedy. It takes money to run
A business. You care deeply and that’s what makes you the beautiful person that you are.

Susan, I’ve been tapping into your videos since you started. I am not over weight or generally have an eating problem, except I do like chocolate and some rich deserts; however, I absolutely love your energy, your honest-ness, your programs, and you have every right to charge for your services and time and support of your team. People make comments never knowing what goes into someone putting together programs etc. We do our best to offer support, etc to people and we can’t please everyone. You always have a smile and inner joy! Wow – you are amazing.

Hi Susan, I am so grateful that you have so much information that you share with out charging so I “poor as a church mouse” can have and have that “free ride to the airport”. I am sorry that you have to deal with the people who expect everything at no charge – because – you have to eat and take care of your family – like the rest of us with the 9 to 5. The people who want everything for nothing – in my opinion – need to have a reality check. We all need to take responsibility for our own health and well-being and that often requires spending money. We value more what we pay for – if you give everything away for free – people wouldn’t value it as much. Does this woman not have a gym membership – those payments keep coming out of the checking account whether you walk through the door and use the service or not. You emphasized often – you give money back if people are not satisfied. and the truth is – you can’t please everyone. Please keep doing what you do – it means so much to me and from the comments – to alot of other people too. I did buy your book and am trying to get started – tentative date – February 1 – I thought January was going to be a challenge at work – and it hasn’t disappointed me. I am hoping the depression I was dealing with in December will be helped when I stop sugar and flour altogether – but I find it a very sneaky foe and have to be very vigilant. Again, thank you for all you do. You touch more people than you know. I love your vlogs.

I am shocked you would be referred to as greedy! I am so in love with your program, and lost 10 lbs just through watching your videos! All free by the way! After that I bought the book and have lost 13 more. I’ve gone from a size 10 to a 6 in under 4 months all for under $30.00. Thank you Susan!

I bought the book after watching her 2015-2017 Video's she has Science behind her.
I did the 14 Day Challenge that lasted 4 months. Feel Great.
I paid for the BootCamp. Work hard at it and I feel Great.
I Joined RBRZ and have been on a personal HIGH. Did I tell you How GREAT I FEEL?
I wanted to LEARN More….. I am a Life Long Learner.
THANK BLE STAFF AND SPT

That was an emotionally costly VLOG to shoot. I hope now you can make the time to provide a little extra self-compassion. She took a bite out of your heart and soul. But I don’t know whether to pray that you keep your heart as vulnerable as you have been. Or whether to pray that a bit of scar tissue forms and hardens just that part of your soul.

I know about myself, that I would be terribly vulnerable to re-attacking myself with Josey’s words. So if ever her words rise up in you, I offer this mantra for you to counter with. “Susan, you should bless yourself!”

In longer version, “You should bless yourself for your care and wisdom. You are wonderfully walking the difficult path of balancing your care for those already within this movement, with care for those whom the movement can reach, if it is well enough funded.”

This was a good response. And maybe you were too nice and gentle to consider part of the attitude of “you should do this for free” is people wanting someone else to be responsible for their results. I lost 50 pounds in about 8 months doing BLE. I bought the boot camp and chose not to do bright lifers. All my choices! And you mention you give 60% off to repeat a course but you do something even more important. Anyone who buys the boot camp has all that material forever! (Within technology limits of course). I’ve never done any program that let me repeat for free. The only thing that wouldn’t be there would be the live calls. You can literally do the entire 12 weeks as many times as necessary. It’s incredibly generous. All of this requires us to be responsible for our own results. If you follow the program you WILL lose weight. And get a free and healed brain! It’s a bargain and still requires hard work. Thank you for not keeping this all to yourself. I have recommended to so many people and have the joy of seeing people post their successes on Facebook. It’s lovely and the movement of freedom is spreading!

I think you’re inspired and amazing. So grateful for all you share. I have read your book and done the 14 day challenge. Breakfast is always perfect but I lose my bright lines after that. So frustrated with myself but you are not to blame for my shortcomings. I will keep rereading your book and watching every vlog until I succeed. Thank you for your efforts on my behalf and others like me.

Pat, we are cheering for you! Can you take it one meal at a time and then build to one day at a time? Distraction and finding new hobbies may help too. That time that used to be spent eating will become easier if you’re able to find some new interests to fill those time slots. What do you think? Would that be helpful? Lots of love to you dear Pat! <3

I have the utmost respect for you, Susan, and ALL the BLE staff! A recap of my history … In mid-April, 2017, I started the 14 day challenge and went on to participate in two boot camps. I have been a Bright Lifer for well over a year. I am 70 years old and rock in sz 4 jeans. I am faithful (but not flawless), to my BLE plan, while at the same time, allowing myself to be human. My biggest challenge has always been with BLT’s (Bites Licks & Tastes). I LOVE how BLE has absolutely altered my life … I am HAPPY & THIN … but still struggling with the FREE part, and perhaps always will. I admit that I wanted to participate in the Reboot/Rezoom Course but the timing was difficult (Christmas expenses). There will be other opportunities to be part of BLE in 2019, and I will eagerly watch for them. The benefits far exceed the associated cost. BLE is one of the very best things that has ever happened to me … SISU!!

Re the Josey comment. Firstly , I believe that your intellectual property has monetary value. The difference between the taxi driver and yourself is that the ride in the taxi, should you take one, is hardly likely to change your life. BLE on the other hand offers far more than a taxi ride or a 9-5 regular job. It is ground breaking and has an impact far beyond time, distance, and quality of life Secondly, by paying for courses one is making a commitment to follow the courses. I believe that if the courses were offered for free many people would not see them through. The integrity of the 14 DC and BC are not in question any more than roads cause crashes. It is the person/s behind the steering wheel or in this case the BC client that must be honest and accountable for their own actions, no matter whether they are 100% successful or less. There are many professions that offer intellectual information and pathways and charge for these. What do I get from BLE? Quality of life, clear pathways that work where nothing has before, support groups and targets, friendship … I am sure I could add much more. Another way to look at the cost of BLE courses is to divide the cost by the number of painful overweight years and the time you have bought back as a happy, thin, free and healthy person. The outlay may look a lot but not in the bigger picture. I con’t thank you enough for what I have gained in terms of happiness and quality of life. From my weight loss progress and maintenance 8 others have commenced the BLE programme. It is powerful.

Susan, your response was great. Have any of you parents given your children something they did not work for? And, have you made your children work for something they really wanted? When children work for something they want they appreciate it more and take care of it. I’ve taught music lessons for decades and charged a fee for most students. I have “given” some students free lessons, for weeks, months and years. Which students do you think practiced the most? When a parent paid for a month’s worth of piano lessons in advance, do you think their child didn’t show up for a lesson that would not get reimbursed for? NO. When we pay for what we get we take it much more seriously.

This is NOT a ‘personal’ problem of your own greed.
It’s a VERY BIG problem with our economic system.
I have been really struggling with this dichotomy:

How do the people who are bringing in the information humanity needs most now, to become and to be well, whole and environmentally sustainable receive the ample and abundant Livelyhood they sooo deserve, AND get the information out to everyone who needs to know it, when there are sooo many who need to know who can not afford it, or only can afford it at a huge sacrifice.

I rack my brain on how to set up an economic means for free education
and training for learning how to heal ourselves and each other, how to live regeneratively, sustainably and how to do it together.
I would love, and I should find, create or join a think tank on this.
‘We’, the people who are trying to share there gifts with the world for the sake of all others still need a Livelyhood, and as you said,
further the mission, (which can consume any profit, as you said.)

So how can we share freely to all and receive freely all we need?
This is a comment and an invitation to think about it with others.

I think that this is one of the things Susan’s research project is designed to do.
Get hard data on how successful the BLE program is and thereby make it eligible for coverage by medical insurance.
Which I think is brilliant.
Furthermore, if people are winning against obesity, which by extension will reduce all sorts of common modern ailments such as diabetes, the medical insurance industry will have a win and sensibly will WANT to fund such a great program.

I read your book that I borrowed from the library, and I listen to your vlogs that you email me for free. I haven’t spent a penny on Bright Line Eating. I have been given a wealth of information that I truly feel indebted to you for. As a food addict, a 10 on your FREE susceptibility quiz, I have continued to avoid making a full commitment to myself, and to this program. That doesn’t mean that I will never work this program. I know that it will work for anyone who works it as it is intended. We all have a choice, we can decide to pay for the program and commit to the program or we can try to go it alone, which is so very hard, when so many factors can sabotage our success. We all “know how ” to lose weight, but doing it alone is hard. I thank you for the tools you have given freely, and know that you have opened my eyes to the reality of what is true for me and my relationship with food.

Is this program different from other plans. Fucking rights it is. No doubt. I have lost 80 pounds and kept the majority of it off for 3 years. Never had that success in any other plan to date. Was it easy – NO!! Did I bounce and need to rezoom – YES!! But I kept keeping on.

Obviously, I became an obese person because of issues I had. I joined every single thing offered such as BLH, BLF, BLF inner circle and went to the Maui retreat. I was a broken person – I needed all those things. I have healed so much – better than the thousands I spent on counselling. This is a path to success but you need to follow it. Every single day. If not rezoom with your new knowledge and keep on.

Susan offers nothing but integrity in the courses she offers. Everything I have participated in is exceptional value. Do I expect Susan to work for free? NO! It is a business and she is offering cutting edge information and not charging anywhere near what others are. She is offering courses and support on the emotional parts too!! Yeah! She has to pay her staff – it is a business. End of story on that one for me. I gladly pay for Bright Lifers – I want to be successful.

How can anyone think Susan can offer a guarantee that you will be successful. Are you doing the emotional work? Are you working the tools? Are you reaching out for support? I think if you are you will see some degree of success.

If not and you are so broken that this is not working – I am so sorry. Really from the bottom of my heart I offer you love and compassion. Perhaps you need different help. This is said with the deepest respect.

That is all I am going to say. Susan you rock!! You offer only integrity and sound advice. You give so much for free. I love you and respect you for all the profound changes I have been able to make because of your research and smarts.

Hey Susan: I never write on these things, but I am so incensed that I decide to send you a quick note. In no particular order, (1) Reach and impact are NOT in competition with revenue. They all hold their own sacred and legitimate space in your business plan/goal setting/mindset. (2) Boundaries! Just because you are brave and risk being open with your clients/followers/viewers does not mean, in any way, that people should infer that they have a personal relationship with you. You are a taxi driver who delivers massive value for which you deserve to be paid A LOT. (3) Recidivism is NOT a measure of the quality of the material you deliver or the safe,non-judgmental space that you hold for everyone to tell their truth and BE/do their best. (4) The real question for Josey is: What story are you telling yourself where Susan is the antagonist? Pleeeeease let this be about Josey. (5) Greed is a hostile, inaccurate attribution that says much more about the accuser than you.
Susan, I think you’re awesome and I am enjoying reading your stuff and watching your vlogs. Thank you for being YOU!

LOL I love the passion in your response.
It equals how upset I was at the comments when I first heard them.
My thought is, not how ‘greedy’ Susan is but what a nerve Josey had to demand she give her time and talents for free!
That to me implies that physicians of every specialty, all heath professionals have no right to make a living doing what they do!
How unreasonable.

Susan,
You “give away” the meat of the course–talking about how to rezoom, the sine wave, etc etc. The course is still absolutely awesome, but my point is, if someone can’t afford it, they could rely heavily on the 3 free videos. AND they could ask for a scholarship!
Keep doing what you’re doing. We love you and appreciate your honesty and dedication.
Big love,
cam

You provide so much information for free that I can’t see how anyone can conclude your greedy. I can not afford your boot camp but have lost 40 lbs following your advise, your program has rewired my brain and I am so gratefull. Listen carefully to Susan and follow her advise and you will retrain your brain.

Hi Lydia! If you previously enrolled in Boot Camp and would like to enroll again, it is at a majorly reduced price. Feel free to reach out to our support team by going to support.brightlineeating.com for more information! <3

Ok that was a great weekly blog. All the posts already written I pretty much agree with. I only have one comment to add – if you Susan added up all the hours you put into this my guess would be you are making about 50 cents per hour. You may be a lot of things but greedy is not one of them. Hugs and you are appreciated and 💕 loved !

Four years ago I lost 55 pounds and felt fabulous, however, as time went on I was diagnosed with Graves disease. Two years later I had gained almost all of that weight back. My endocrinologist said that losing weight had more to do with my age (60 something) than a lack of a thyroid. This past summer I was looking at Facebook and saw your susceptibility scale. I took it and started to investigate the information that you shared. I bought your book, read it, and over a months time thoughtfully decided that I could do this program. I cleaned out my kitchen and prepared to begin. On September 5 I embarked on BLE. 25 pounds later in my 138th day I am delighted with my success. I have not been hungry nor have I had any cravings. Everything you threw my way on line I watched and listened carefully. This is the first holiday season that I did not gain weight nor did it feel dark from overconsuming. I have not joined a boot camp nor have I rezoomed. Over the years I have learned that it comes down to me being successful for myself; I’m the one who has to live with myself and my decisions. I have paid thousands of dollars on weight loss programs. So I am delighted with my success; my family has been very supportive. I will continue to benefit from your vlogs and whatever else you post. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank You Susan for your willingness to be messy, vulnerable, wanting to smooth out all the wrinkles and tell it all with so much honesty. I have been “researching” with BLE for a couple of years and it’s been so healing. RBRZ is fantastic and worth every penny as are bootcamp and bright life’s! F Ya!

If I fail at my addiction, I am happy to know that Reboot Rezoom is available. I have not signed up for it, I am successful so far without it. Whatever people think, we are all holding on together to our lines, and the support is absolutely the reason for my success. I am so grateful for your research, and particularly that you have not just STOPPED researching ways to help us, and simply stated, get with your plan. We need your help, and the assistance has continued. I don’t see that as greedy, I see that as taking responsibility for your research, and helping the ones on the edges who are failing. God bless you and I THANK YOU!!!

Your program ultimately did not work for me. BUT you are not greedy and I hope I’m wrong , but you sounded like you were trying to justify what and why you were charging. You don’t have to do that!! Miss Josey used shame and name calling and that never works. Just ask Brene Brown.

Love the vlog. At almost 3 years in a right sized body as a result of BLE, I am a fan of the boot camp where I paid almost a thousand dollars to take it (which was the price at the time). It was worth every penny to get out of 30 years of trying to lose the same 25 pounds. I have stayed within a 5 pound range and it’s all due to Bright Line Eating and what I’ve learned. Thank you for bringing this program to the public.

Susan, you are not greedy at all! You are an intelligent, educated, caring, sincere person who is sharing her knowledge and expertise to so many of us who are hurting and need your help. The prices you charge are not too much. People don’t work as hard when they get something for nothing. They need to understand there’s great value in what they are receiving and that is going to cost. I am a retired teacher so I am not wealthy but I do feel the price of this RBRZ course is very fair. Yes, I may have to give up a few other material things to be able to pay for this course but that is one of the few reasons that I remind myself that I have to stick with this. I look forward to all your videos, vlogs, and Facebook live. Please keep doing what you are doing. We need you. Thank you for all you do ❤️❤️

Susan, I appreciate your willingness to address Josey’s critcism of you and her take on YOUR inventory of shortcomings. But there is a place in this vlog where you get off track. Quoting you in the vlog
“I’ve shared with you in previous vlogs the research that show that cocaine is, you know somewhere between as addictive as cocaiine and heroin and up to maybe 8x as addictive as cocaine and heroin, certainly more addictive than alcohol by far.”
I think you misspoke and need to correct that part of thee vlog.
Also the success rates you spoke of did not say over what period of time those rates were measured which is a crucial and important statistic.
I think Josey needed to be reminded that you have offered a 100% money back guarantee which would make you not greedy.
We all need to be paid for our work.

Last time I checked you ain’t forcing us to buy it. Do you send a lot our way…with a price tag…yes. Some I like other wise I just delete. Mostly delete…but you let us make the decision. I took Boot Camp serious9 months ago and have hit my number and pretty much stay there. I have adjusted to some, but always have the scales as my judge. If for some crazy reason that stops working…I will want to look for something new…Nice to know you have options.
BLE has changed my life. That I am grateful for.

I’m a food addict. BLE saved my life. You don’t have to sign up for the rezoom/reboot–use what you got the first time around and follow EVERYTHING Susan says–not her job to make an addict sober, that is personal choice. She’s the guiding force, and seriously can only lead a horse to water… Let the girl earn a living at what she has dedicated her life to. 🙂

Susan, thanks for the video, but it was not necessary. I joined my original boot camp in October of 2016. Back then it was $1000. It was worth every penny and then some. I lost my weight and have kept it off for two and a half years. Something I never did on any of those other programs. Let’s talk about savings. I have not had to see a doctor for anything but a routine check up in two and a half years. I don’t spend nearly as much money on food, because I cook and pack my meals. If I go out, it is planned, not spur of the moment fast food. Just like I am responsible for choosing what I eat, I also choose what programs I participate in. I don’t work for free and I don’t expect you or your wonderful staff to either. I joined RBRZ because I wanted a refresher, because I felt I was getting complacent. I think the take away is that BLE did not fail us, we failed ourselves.

Great vlog. In a way BLE could be considered an informal contract. You provide the service and the participant gives it 100%. If this is the case they will be successful. The BLE org has no say over who will and will not give 100%. Susan you deliver an excellent product. You are giving everyone choices on whether they want to take participate in other programs such as the reboot rezoom. The people who need to reboot rezoom can choose to stay in their original bootcamp and restart from day one at no charge. At the end of the day you are helping people AND BLE is still a business. Your time is valuable and no one should expect you to give everything for free. I personally am eternally grateful.

Susan,
Make a billion dollars – why do we care! You’ve created an amazing system – thanks to you we have this new direction – if you make millions, I’ll be happy for you. Don’t apologize. People can access your system at a decent price. You’re helping, you’re creating jobs. Great – thank God for Capitalism. This is what capitalism and freedom create. How dare anyone demand you do it for free – what is their problem? Go live in Russia and see what kind of choice you have.

Susan, this was a wonderful blog. I wish I had heard it before I retired from a business in a people helping field! All of us have felt the conflicts, but you have to be a responsible business person! Two things came to mind, poor Josef must feel so horrible about falling off the wagon so she lashed out. Secondly, research shows that people value what they pay for. It’s better for all of us to know if we fall off, we need to recommit and out some money behind it. It’s a basic motivator to not fall off. BTW, you made my day to remind me that I am one of 252 who has been able to maintain a large long term weight loss. I did mine in a 12 step program then spread out to functional medicine when I was diagnosed with 5 autoimmune diseases. I’m not a paying Bright Liner, but totally appreciate that you make weekly vlogs available to anyone who wants a boost!

When you were a professor, you were paid to give knowledge to a student; Whether or not they accepted that knowledge was their choice. Either way, the student paid to be there. And you did your job to the best of your ability.
It’s the same thing with BLE.
You are selling your knowledge and experience because:
1. We live in America
2. You have valuable information that has monetary worth
3. To give away this knowledge for free would cheapen it and I believe would decrease success rates monumentally

What you do is excellent. It is worth the $$.
The knowledge you give is powerful.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Awesome!! I see lots of people have responded. You hit such important points about the world we live in — not just food related– and how we understand that world. Thank you so much for your reflections. I would still say that for me what has been the most important thing I have learned from you is about taking care of my body with healthful foods, and that essentially all calories are truly not created the same. It was not the first time I have thought about the meaning of “empty calories, ” but your presentations and programs have made me understand and feel the magnitude of what is at stake and realize that I can make different choices aided by better information. I can’t even address the “greediness” point except to wonder if the person who made the comment is really angry at herself for gaining back weight, or if she really wants to join the reboot program and does not have the funds. I am a Bright Lifer but not in the reboot program and think that you make adequate resources available even for those who can not / do not participate in new programs. Thank you.

The benefits of BLE REZOOM are valuable. The writer of the comment does not value the course and obviously undervalues the personal benefits that the course could provide. Her assessment is hers only from her own perspective. Her lack of willingness to give priority to her own health and wellness, does not give her liscence to negatively judge Susan’s motives. Her hashness reflects her own negativity. It casts no shadow on Susan.

Susan, I have lost 45 lbs thus far on your program and feel so at peace now after years of struggle. Really understanding the insidiously addictive “food” that industry offers us is a major message that needs to be heard and understood by everybody, so important, healthy changes can be made, personally and globally. Your research, your dedication, your 24/7 time that you spend, along with your staff, to get this important message and program out to the masses costs money. Period. And if anybody wants to make a commitment to the program, you usually don’t commit to anything when it is free. That is Psychology 101. I so appreciate your mammoth effort and commitment to the Bright Lines community. I feel sorry for Josey. She is struggling. You truly feel like a personal friend to me. Your openness is so refreshing and brave, actually. So keep on doing what you are doing!! It’s working!! You got this, Girlfriend!! Love ya, Kate 💜

Susan, you continue to rock. There is nothing wrong for charging for what you do so beautifully. It’s an exchange of energy. You must charge! What you do is so valuable and you are so generous with your time, your sharing and everything. God bless you.

Don’t let the bad apple spoil the barrel. The other thing I thought of was that the only programs where I have succeeded are the ones I bought … not too many free ones give me much. I have to have skin in the game to succeed. You keep charging whatever you want for these programs!!

Susan – I absolutely know you come from integrity and service – not greed. When you realized the Self Start program didn’t work, you stopped it and offered those in it to take a real boot camp.

When you realized that sometimes self healing is needed for lines you offered a healing course.

When you realized that some people needed a therapeutic solution, you offered Parts Work. And when you realized people whereby always successful and struggling, you thought of your own struggle and offered Rezoom.

When you realize more coaching was needed you hired more people.

You are more successfully dealing with an extreme difficult and complicated world problem. You are clearly about serving , not because of your verbiage, but by your actions.

And you’ve created a loving and compassionate community while you’ve done this.

No you’re not greedy. But in this world of ours there will never be 100% agreement from everyone about that. It’s sonething you will have to live with as you transform the world. And anyone who makes a huge difference always has to confron this. Much love and success to you.

I would not give those comments too much time or energy. The mind is tricky (as you know) and it wants you to stay in a place of a heavy heart and darkness. It is not about greed, lack of passion or shame. The fact is that you made a decision in your life to help people and spread an incredible message. In order to do this, it still cost money to put everything together. As I say (I run two businesses), “It takes a village”. Sorry… maybe not you..but all the people in the village do need to be paid for their work. They do not work for free. Unfortunately, it would be great to give everything for free and donated your time. The reality is …it cost money to run a business whether it is nonprofit ( St. Jude) or a profit generating business (IBM), either way people charge for services or run off donations. There is A LOT behind the screens to make it all happen. I know that. YOU WILL NEVER MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY. That is her opinions. It is not a fact. Let it go and put your energy to all of us that LOVE you!

A thought….It would be different if you had a lifetime membership deal and you said it included current and upcoming classes and events, etc and then you said ok pay extra for this. But you did not. You can’t possibly know what people are going to do beforehand in this process. But through your experiences, you saw a need and jumped on it to help all of us.

I pray for you to be abundantly blessed financially, spiritually, physically… for bringing Bright Line Eating to us. There is no way for you or your staff to earn too much money for literally saving lives.

I admire how you addressed Josey’s comments – that you took them seriously in the first place, and have, in your inimitable style, disected the various aspects and looked into yourself for your personal stand on this – and I applaud the outcome. You are such a contribution to the (weight loss) world and your openess is so refreshing! BLE is not for the faint-hearted and requires a rigor not that many people can muster – but your program is incredibly well designed to give participants the optimal chance for success. Thank you for all that!

I have the utmost respect for you, Susan, and ALL the BLE staff and supportive Tribes! A recap of my history … In mid-April, 2017, I started the 14 day challenge and went on to participate in two boot camps. I have been a Bright Lifer for well over a year. I am 70 years old and rock in sz 4 jeans. I am faithful (but not flawless), to my BLE plan, while at the same time, allowing myself to be human. My biggest challenge has always been with BLT’s (Bites Licks & Tastes). I LOVE how BLE has absolutely altered my life … I am HAPPY & THIN … but still struggling with the FREE part, and perhaps always will. I think the root of it all has to do with ‘Sweet Surrender’. I admit that I wanted to participate in the Reboot/Rezoom Course but the economic timing was difficult. There will be other opportunities to be part of BLE in 2019, and I will eagerly watch for them. The benefits far exceed the associated cost. BLE is one of the very best things that has ever happened to me … and thousands of others .
Dr. Jackie Black and Craig Addy, I think, summed it up best … SISU!!

Susan I love that you addressed the edgey topic and you did it so well!!!! Let me just say, I like your “car” and heck yes I am paying you $50 to please drive me to the airport!!!! Thank you to you and your team for doing what you do!!!i am grateful for you all

That was a conversation that needed to be out there. The original commenter could have expressed it with kindness but it’s an interesting point. The response in this vlog is excellent. Thank you for being brave enough to wade into it.

Susan. I am so new to you and to your programs. I am definitely a food addict, and I am hopeful that I will be successful at this addiction program. I have so appreciated you! I love your personality, and your intellect and your honesty and your humility and your passion and your perspective. And I thank you for being kind in your response to Josey’s comments and not ridiculing her or mocking her in any way, in spite of the aggressive tone of her comments.

But I can identify somewhat with the financial undercurrent of her comment. I can’t afford the $400 or $500 that it costs to do the Boot Camp or any of the other courses. I struggle to pay my bills every month, so $500 might as well be several thousand dollars for me. Maybe I am in the minority when it comes to BLE’s… I don’t know. And because I can’t afford it, doesn’t mean that you are wrong in charging for it. It just means that it won’t be an option for me or for a certain segment of people because it is way out of our financial means.

I can afford the 2 week challenge and I have signed up for that and purchased your book, and I will go from there. And your vlogs are always encouraging and interesting and free, so I will take advantage of those also. Thank you for having a heart for those of us who struggle with our food addiction and for not shaming us like the rest of the world does!

I bought a fridge with a warranty of 2 years, it lasted 2 years and one month and it was too expensive to repair. I had to buy another one.

Now JOSEY RN with your thinking should I expect a functional fridge for all my life ?

Susan has offered us the knowledge of how our brain functions and why we gain the weight back after we loose . Now it is up to us to use that knowledge not to gain back the weight.
However some of us were not able to keep the weight off for good, so she comes back with additional info to help those of us who need more help. We should thank her for the effort she is doing to help us out.

Let’s say you take a class and you fail at the exam. With you thinking we should be allowed all our lives to keep taking that same course for free?

I think YOU should be ashamed of criticizing Susan.

And if you have not succeeded instead of finding excuses for your failure look at how and why others have succeeded and not you !!!!

Good luck Josey RN. I know it’s not easy to keep the weight off, but keep trying.

This is a little childish. Of course we are all prone to this. A little sad I’m gonna say. You are not a saint and you do not lead a exemplary life. We don’t. Your dialog says so.
We can still take our gems and live OUR lives not Susan’s. This is the wonderful message of LIFE!

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said the reason some people may agree with Josey is because of your openness and because people see you as a friend. It’s like Johnny Carson – people thought they knew him, he was in their living rooms or bedrooms every night and he was so familiar. I agree with you about other weight loss companies and their business model. Very unlike yours. I didn’t join the Reboot Rezoom but I am a Bright Lifer. The thing is you’re offering a program – it’s not mandatory anyone join it. How is that greedy?

I joined when the boot camp was much more expensive than it is now and it was a huge sacrifice that I had to pay over time. Now, if I had financial freedom I would pay for this new program as I think I can really use it. It is a bummer when there is more info I need but I am barred from learning it because of my income bracket. Not everyone can come up with this amount which I believe is steep! Those that are happy to pay for it are happy because they can pay. Wish this was more accessible to all. Isn’t that the real goal here? How about scholarships? If you paid more than most people did before the book and the discounts that should count for something. I also feel the emails that sell other people’s services and products are not helping your brand. I don’t see you as greedy per se but I think you are perhaps out of touch with people struggling with obesity and their finances.

Couldn’t agree more with this second comment, people are so quickly jumping all over Josey for asking a legitimate question. Sometimes people act like BLE is a cult and they have to worship at the altar of SPT which apparently means denigrating anyone who disagrees with her. It’s gross.

I’ll state right up front, yesterday I received an employment offer for 4% less than I earn as a subcontractor working for the same company making the offer. Am I being greedy? No. I have established the value I add to the project and deserve to be paid for thinking, mentoring, and producing products exceeding expectations. One can make a parallel between my real moment dilemma and the thoughts expressed on Susan’s first point. As individuals, we groom our own fulfillment of our potential. Susan has groomed her’s well, I applaud her.

“There’s a lot of great content about how to research your market value and understand your worth, but just having the data isn’t enough. You have to believe you’re worth it.” ~ Lelia Gowland, Contributor, Forbes.com

I did go to treatment in 1987, I heard those same remarks regarding the person to the left and the person to the right. I remain sitting in my chair, hopeful that my chair neighbors made it as well. When I did an early 5th Step, it lead me to have “blame” at the top my Step 6 list. Sometimes unsuccessful opportunities search for a target to blame perhaps food addicts want to assign external blame.

I sent a daughter to college and after five years, four years of which were out of my pocket, she has no degree. To this day, I ponder the financial choice my paying her way and not having her work her way through college.

I will pay to be able to stay in the 0.1 of 1% group that achieves goal wight and maintains that weight for 5-10 years. In the two weeks before I did my 14dc, I spent $150 eating out. With the 14dc fee and the $26 meal I did eat out during the 14 days, I came out on top.

Most importantly, lets explore the cost of science, the cost of gathering data, the cost of evaluating the raw data to understand what the data means. Keep a space for me on the band wagon.

For over 40 years I have struggled with my weight, losing maybe 10 to 15 lbs but never keeping it off. I was truly morbidly obese. BLE worked for me. Originally I lost 50 lbs but have put 10 back on. And as you aptly described it in your vlog, I am hovering there. I rezoom every day, but 2 days is all that I manage to keep on track. BUT. even though I am not at goal weight, my life has changed. I can walk. My blood pressure is good. My cholesterol is good, my knees are good., and basically, everything in my life is better. It was worth the money I paid. Every cent! I thought about taking this new course and I hope to some day, but I know myself well enough to know I can’t commit right now. So thank you Susan. BLE saved my life and gave me hope, health and happiness. I have this amazing tool and I will use it again and again. It is a tool that I cherish. I feel very successful. . I also believe that people value what they pay money for. Everyone knows you can’t give this away for free. You are amazingly fair and I always sense your deep concern for the financial limitations of others.. The 14 day challenge is accessible to everyone because you responded to the financial needs of your tribe. BLE was a turning point in my life, an answer to the deepest yearnings of my heart. I will be forever thankful that I found it when I did. Thank you Susan!

I live from one Social Security check to the next, but you’ll never hear me complain about the cost of the BLE courses! I will do whatever it takes to pay for my Bright Lifers membership every year. Yes, it’s difficult, but anything worth having requires some effort or sacrifice. I’m in it for the long haul, and I think BLE is a deal!

I am not a direct participant of the BLE movement. I am a 1 on the spectrum. I listen to Susan because I find her and the BLM movement huthum Fuck YA inspiring. I applied for the nanny position because it caught my eye and was the funnest application I have ever filled out. It was as thoughtfully and heartfully dynamic as Susan is in her vlogs. I passed BLE info to one of my sponsee’s because she shared with me her beloved struggles with food shame. This was a year ago. I have seen these two souls add BLE principles to thier lives by reading the book. They will be celebrating a year here shortly. I watch the vlogs from time to time and I watch how BLE has impacted my sponcee’s life in ways that are nothing shy of miralcous. They didn’t do the boot camp, they work the program guidelines from the book. The book was in their income bracket and thier gratitude and happy, joyous and free living is a soulful work of dedication and self honesty and gratitude. I watched the reboot, rezoom videios and admittedly had the fleeting thought…who is in this income bracket? Not me! If I were to dedicate my soul to BLE I am in the buy the book work the program bracket and stay close to my beloved friends in recovery circles here locally. It is rare that I chime in on much social media or comment in electronic threads, I am a face to face local kinda gal but I felt this one was worth my energy. One thing that I can say that BLE does that not many other online programs do in my limited experience is accommodate the diversity of the humanbeings that are attracted to their program. This along with many other things happening here that I see from the outside looking in is a gift every heart this mission touches and the lives those hearts touch and so on… the ripple in the pond effect is massive. In a world where capitalism pushes the “quick fix” we have lost touch with the meaning of the journey. If you can pay your way to rezoom course, fantastic. If you are in a different income bracket you can bet your money is well spent even if it is for the book you will get your money worth and some . I only invested in passing along BLE to people I love and have enjoyed a whole lot of “free content”, the best job application in my history of job application, a personal response to that application, I am inspired by each vlog I choose to create time to be with. Honestly, my mind is blown and my heart warmed by this beautiful soul and her steadfast dedication to BLE living, community, self-honesty, vulnerable transparency that she gives to ALL of US fortunate enough to tune in, moment by raw moment, breath by breath, growing pain by growing pain. We are on the side by side journey with one another directly or indirectly. We are ONE. It would be wise to sit in our own shame swamps before we project our unfelt shame upon those that are giving an honest effort to bring loving positive life giving change with thier time living and being on planet earth. Many blessings to each and everyone of you beautiful souls whereever you are in your evolutionary process. Progress not Perfection. Lastly, well done Susan, you are an inspiration in my lil universe and I would be giving you a double high five along with a big ass hug that says, “You go girl, stand in your divine power and shine your lighthouse.” Thanks for offering this program to the world. From what I have witnessed in my community there are ample ways to apply the program and its value to any life within any income bracket. Progress not Perfection. Rock on SiSTAR keep on keepin on!!! And for the brave soul Josie Rn who stood in her Divine Power shining her lighthouse and challenged Susan, you keep on keepin on. It is an honor and a privilage to be a witness of this dynamic, real and raw discussion. It moved my Spirit to “Add a Comment.” Peaceful living, kari.

You take my breath away with your ability to face the tough stuff with an open heart, with no apology AND with that amazing brain of yours. You are one of the most generous people i know. Keep going, dear Susan. The world needs you. We are with you. Can’t wait to see what your research reveals we need next. BLE is not boring. Love it!!

The vlogs used to be shot against a plain background. Kinda funny that this one exploring the issues of finance and greed is shot in a very luxurious looking room graced with expensive looking objects. Nothing wrong with that, and I´m not saying anyone is greedy but it certainly give an impression that Susan is wealthy!

I am a yoga teacher. We have people who will say, “How dare you charge money for yoga” – (implying that it is something that transcends economics; it is spiritual, karmic etc and that we should provide it freely ).

Our reply is that when we are able to pay the rent, utilities, taxes and so forth with yoga rather than money, we would be happy to do so. Until then, we charge money because it is the current exchange of goods and services.

It is said that when something is “free”, people tend not to value it as much, or show up for it as much (ie self help programs, education) as they do when they’ve paid for it. In yoga we call it an energy exchange. One of these forms of energy is, in fact, money. The word exchange is important. Being on the “free” take all the time is not an exchange.

Susan, I completely disagree with you here. To suggest that ‘Josey’ is somehow ‘rouge’ because she doesn’t agree with you is just the beginning of where I think you’ve gotten this badly wrong. A person is not a rouge if they are responding in a way you don’t like. They are just as legitimate as the people who are swanning all over you.

Josey did not say or imply she assumed that you shouldn’t be charging because she sees you as a friend. She suggested she shouldn’t be charged AGAIN because she’s already paid before. I get that you are running a business, but there is a lot of up selling going on and it’s appropriate that people should ask why it is that these things are necessary when the original sale (for BootCamp or Lifers) promised to give them what the up sell in now promising.

You weaken the argument by dismissing Josey as a rouge and although her language was over the top and inappropriate, I think you have to take the higher ground in these situations, which you have not done with this Vlog.

Speaking for myself, any cost I’ve had with this lifestyle change have been small compared to the benefits I have received being happy, thin and free. I wouldn’t change this for any free course out there. Plus, most of the other ones out there have a cost and some you have to pay for food in addition to it. Love BLE, and thank yo u Susan for all you do.

During the authors summit in 2017, I took the susceptibility test and scored an 8. In the end, I basically told my self that here is just another money making weight loss scheme. BOY WAS I EVER WRONG. I found the book by chance on the new arrival shelf at the library a month later and decided to check it out and read it.. The following month, I dabbled with the program and by June decided to go all in and purchase the book, scales and journals. It still took me till October to. Consider joining a boot camp. And ultimately bright lifers. 75 lbs gone and living in maintenance. Could I have done it strictly by the book, maybe, but that was not my track. We have choices, that is good, a yes you could offer the course for free, but the additional cost would have to be reallocated in the basic rate that all would pay for the courses which are optional. Business solvency is ethically correct, failure is not an option,, too many lives are anchored in BLE to fail . Hang in there, you are a huge blessing to so many struggling to make sense of their journey. Love ya kiddo.

I really liked this vlog. I think that it speaks to the idea of “boundaries”, which can get confused in an online environment. I also think it’s important to talk about finances. That subject never gets talked about, especially by entrepreneurs, unless you’re Dave Ramsey. The more we talk about finances, the less guilt and stress there is, the less “power” they have over our psyches. I wonder how much the subject of finances plays in our food addictions? My son has just started Junior Achievement, and is interested in becoming an entrepreneur. The statistics of successful entrepreneurship are every bit as scary as the statistics around successful weight loss.

I’m glad you answered the lady but never feel anything but okay about earning money from your expertise. She is sadly uninformed and realistic. Part of me wondered if you would have answered with more specific information about earnings/profit if it would calibrate her thinking, and others like her, but you don’t owe her or anybody that. Plus, what are you going to say? “I’m only earning 10 times more than I did as a professor?” (I hope you are earning that much at least! I know what professors make.)

Anyway, I wanted to add a suggestion for a future vlog that I feel is an issue within this community and deserves real talk: modifying the plan. I know, know, Just follow the plan! I did, and it worked for me. Seven-eight months later, I’m in goal range and I feel truly free. And I recommend the plan to everyone. But I have also modified the plan, against your standard recommendations, once while in a plateau and now more recently as I’ve approached and reached my goal range. I have peace around these changes in every way except “chiding” from the community for talking about it. A lady in my boot camp FB group asked if anyone had modified the plan and found success, and I responded with my specifics and the caution that I know my modifications are outside your recommendations and would be a slippery slope for many. I was chided by a participant for my comments. (And this isn’t the first time I’ve felt the community over-polices anyone who is too candid.) I’m trying to be sensitive to her concern that for those high on the susceptibility scale, this talk can be scary and/or derailing. I get it. But I also believe plenty of people are tweaking the plan and some are afraid to talk about it and that doesn’t help anybody. Do you have thoughts on this?

Susan, I applaud you for responding to this comment. Why wouldn’t you charge for other services? You have so many videos out there that are free and for the cost of any of your programs is well worth it to be happy thin and free. There is and intrinsic value in your program and any cost is well worth it. I paid for your book and the 14 day challenge. It is unrealistic to think those would be free because then there’s no value to it and you are providing service and sharing knowledge from all of your research about food that is still not being heard in the medical community. I successfully lost weight in three months what I could never do over the last 15 years with every other kind of diet, that in its self is a miracle you are a miracle. God Bless.

Bravo, Susan, for walking out onto the small branches – the edge is a fine place to stand! I did not join Reboot/ReZoom because I chose to spend my $$ differently at this point in time. Making BLE affordable for every individual … not happening.

CHOICE. It always comes to choice of what you think and how you implement that thinking. And your thoughts are absolutely the ONLY absolutely controllable aspect of human existence.

I think BLE, at any cost, is a gift for those of us who have addiction issue. BLE didn’t just change my eating habits and weight… it changed my life. There is no price tag for my life.

Bravo, Susan, for walking out onto the small branches – the edge is a fine place to stand! I did not join Reboot/ReZoom because I chose to spend my $$ differently at this point in time. Making BLE affordable for every individual … not happening.

CHOICE. It always comes to choice of what you think and how you implement that thinking. And your thoughts are the ONLY truly controllable aspect of human existence.

I think BLE, at any cost, is a gift for those of us who have addiction issues. BLE didn’t just change my eating habits and weight… it changed my life. There is no price tag for my life.

Dear Susan
Like many others, this is one of the few times I am writing to respond. I was in one of the original boot camps and paid over $1000. (Exchange rates are a bitch). I lost close to 100 pounds and was a dedicated and grateful follower, until one of your vlogs promoted alternate treatments for cancer. I was disappointed and angry because I am a cancer survivor and I believe you have incredible agency and this, in my opinion, called into question your integrity. I did write directly to you and spoke with a member of your team. Then I severed
the connection. Anger is a nasty devil who shows up in a bag of chips – and unresolved anger issues around myriad personal issues led to recidivism and I gained back about 40 pounds and struggle to reclaim the lines. I don’t cross the sugar or flour, but have been knows to look at frenchfries as a meal! When I saw the reboot rezoom on Facebook, I decided to create a space to listen to the message and forgive the messenger. I tried to register but glitches in the system prevented my credit card from going through and I took it as a sign and thought it over. I agree with Josey in many ways – this was not $50 bucks. Including your book that I purchased – to support your journey as well , because you asked your followers for support- it was, as mentioned, over $1000. dollars. So …. for those of us who succeeded to a point – but were ill prepared for the fallout or possible fallout – to be told – sorry I forgot something – and I am willing to tell you what, but it will cost you – is, for me, heaping a sense of betrayal on existing pain of failure. There was a missing element in the original plan and you learned over time how to fix it. At the very least, offer it to those who paid for the original program at a highly reduced rate. If I purchased a physical item of incredible quality, only to have it break after a year – and the manufacturer realized a default and was open and honest and wanting to repair the item – I would expect to pay only for shipping. My heart breaks because on the one hand I want the support and knowledge and to get the full picture , but on the other I realized my anger at having to pay was not healthy either. So I effort to stay in the lines and be hyper aware of the the voice that tells me I am passed additction and can give in to behavior that will hurt me. I wish all a peaceful journey and the power to hear all points – even those couched in pain and anger – with compassion. I am not sure who said it –
But love the quote – In the end, we are all just walking each other home. Thanks. 😁

Susan iI just listened to your vlog and do have a comment …. it is belong to lifers to me is steep . Last year I went into it and never did a thing in it…. frankly didn’t know how, was afraid of it… infact I stuck to my ist first house and I think I went to lifers 2-3 times in all. The money issue is in this time difficult for me, but I decided to do it because I am scared to death of free wheeling without BLE at my back and I had( am in a crazy work mode with out my scales worried that my shabby will really clobber me. So I signed up again and this time introduced myself on Lifers.. I was elated to be heard and my couple of topics spoke to lots of the group. Hey, I help BLE AS MUCH AS I GIVE OF MY OWN HONESTY. so what I think is the value to me is having a place to speak out on subjects . I still feel like a new colt finding her legs and deeply afraid I will fail. That is why I am here, so in many ways I am paying to help BLE, and I wish it were cheaper for being here.

Susan, I appreciate this Vlog. I am someone who often judges the cost of something and my go-to judgement is “s/he just wants to make money,” even though I know that a labor of love doesn’t alleviate the need for financial recompense. I know that about myself and I’ve finally learned that I need to work through that issue for myself. When I signed up for bootcamp, I found a BLifer who offered me a coupon. That satisfied my financial discomfort. That being said, the course delivered and was worth the money. When R/R became available, I was tempted because my friend was doing it and I had the fear of being left out. After I slept on it, I realized I hadn’t even reached goal weight, I’m doing well with my bright lines and I don’t need the course now. I chose not to enroll. Although you sometimes are given the role of a guru and your comments and requests can be influential, we are all responsible for our choices, whether they be spending money or putting food in our mouths. You are not responsible for our addictions.

Hi Susan,
That was a very difficult blog for you to do and your honesty is wonderful. I’ve been following BLE for just over a year and have been at my goal weight for almost 8 months. I am not a size 4, nor was that ever my intention. I am super comfortable with my weight loss and grateful for this wonderful program that fits me so well. It has been a life changer and something I have adopted as my way of fueling my body. It deserves the best.
I was in the R & R Facebook group and commented numerous times. When the price came out, I was surprised. I thought it was asking too much. I am a middle class person and while I could probably come up with that money, I couldn’t justify it. After hearing your blog, I certainly appreciated your justification of why it costs what it does. This is your career and you have numerous staff to pay, as well. I get it. Thanks for explaining it. I have decided, though, not to join. This is because I am one of the lucky ones. I have already adopted the mentality of R & R and your book is my bible! I’m doing well. Thanks to you!
You should know that many of my friends and acquaintances have joined BLE from my experience. I am one of your cheerleaders!

Susan, I’m 9 months into BLE and have lost 42lbs and are now in a normal weight. I bought your book, read it and could see that it was written for me. I could not afford the boot camp or any other of the extra things offered. But your book gave me the information and the motivation to be successful. I have more weight to loose but I am confident that I will be able to do that. I know that other people need more than the book but I am very grateful for all the information in that book that makes it possible for those of us with food addiction to understand the whys and hows and whats of food addiction and to see the way to happy thin and free. After seeing my success my husband has now started the program and in just one week is seeing success. I have lost and gained over the years and this program is the best I have ever used and I see this is my future and I’m grateful. I’m 70 years old but feel younger than I have for a long time. I feel like instead of aging I’m youngering. So thank you. By the way, your confession of the brownie eating event is very important in my motivation to not think I can eat just a little bit of… whatever. Carry on in your work and much success to you

Susan, I bought your book and never signed up for a boot camp. I’m doing this with my husband. We began our journey June 1st, 2018. He is already on maintenance. I have 12 more pounds until I hit my goal weight. My husband is off of HBP medicine. I’ve lost 50 lbs. Before starting this plan, I had just tipped into a “pre diabetes “ stage. I have three siblings with type two diabetes. Two are insulin dependent. My point hear that I’m trying to get at is that the “mission and stewardship “ that you mentioned in your blog today; hit home for a lot of us. I’m beyond grateful to you for your work to save so many of us from our bad habits. I’d like to give back. Is there a donation option for those of us that are doing this on our own through your bookthat would like to contribute. Just in my family and among my friends, I wish you could see our ripple effect! God bless you Susan, for your mission and stewardship. I know there’s a lot of us out here taking advantage of your good will. Please let me know how I can give back. without signing up for a boot camp or a class. Sincerely yours, Lynne

I have never – not even once – thought or cared about what Jeff Bezos does with my money & I use Amazon Prime on a weekly basis. He provides a service I very much enjoy so… here you go, Jeff. Take my money.

More importantly – I never ever ever thought or cared about what you’ve done with my boot camp/Bright Lifers/Rezoom fees. Your programs are quite literally helping me get my life back!

Girl… take my money!!!!! 🤩😍😂

I am so grateful for all you do & as a designer and facilitator of training courses, I can attest to the fact that you’re basically giving this stuff away! 🙄😒🙂

I must say I was disappointed that brite lifters was so expensive when I finished boot camp. So I didn’t join and I did gain my weight back. Lifetime members do not pay through the Weight Watchers program unless they do gain weight back and do receive a discount if they go back.

FAA is free. And very similar. I put myself out to pay for the boot camp because it gave me hope, but I did feel let down after, because I wasn’t aware of further expense for brite lifers until the END of boot camp.

Jean, we are so very very sorry for your disappointment. If you’d like to discuss this further, please reach out to our support team by heading to support.brightlineeating.com. We’d love to continue the conversation with you personally, if you’re interested. <3

I am one of those people that also had issues with some of practices of this company. This Vlog helped me see that I do see you as a friend and mentor but in actuality we do not have a relationship other than I am a BLE participant/customer. Unfortunately, this program is for people that can afford it not necessarily people who need it. I don’t know if you will see this Susan, and that it even means anything to you. But I was hurt when I was featured in your NYT bestseller and I was not even thanked. I was hurt when I could not afford BL and customer service had nothing to offer me. I was hurt and sad when you went public with withdrawing from you past Faith and it seemed that you were coming down hard on the BF to inform your clients that you were so open minded, not thinking what it would do to those of us that embrace that Faith. You have made public that you purchased a new bigger home, you and David left your jobs, you take Disney Cruise Vacations, you fly to England for a concert, you have a nanny, your husband plays golf, you belong to a private country club, you go to the spa regularly… !!! You probably do not get it. You are a wonderful person, and your talents and expertise is amazing, but lets not sugar coat this… if you don’t have the resources to pay for this program, you are on your own. I love this program, I love the science, I wish there was a way for me to convey how thankful I am for this program… but like I said if you can not pay or are not a part of the inner circle you are out. And to me with my addiction and my sensitive heart there is not other place for me to go.

I read your comment when you posted it, and have been thinking about it, and you, every day since then.

My first reaction was to get deeply defensive. I don’t know if you’ve ever done this, but I found myself explaining myself in my head to you, over and over, for days, as if it were a trial and I was on the witness stand, explaining everything to a jury.

I found myself wanting you to hear and understand what was going on for me during the months surrounding the book launch that led me to drop the ball and never thank you (nor anyone else who was featured in the book) for your amazing service.

I went into our customer support records and looked for the interactions between you and my staff to see where you had asked for financial assistance and what my team had said–they are instructed NEVER to turn anyone away who can’t afford our programs. Ever. I didn’t find any record of a request from you, so I didn’t know what to make of that.

Then I thought of that VLOG I did on “Faith and Adult Development” and asked myself whether I feel comfortable with my motives and the job I did, articulating my decision and the reasons for it. I do. I can see why you would feel hurt by that, and it saddens me, then and now. My intention was not to be hurtful.

Sharon, I don’t know whether, at this point, you want to be a part of the BLE community, but if you do, please know that the door is open for you. If you can’t afford it, ask for a scholarship. If you don’t, just know that you can live Happy, Thin, and Free through 12-step food addiction programs, the BLE book, the VLOGs, and the other supports that my team and I make available for free.

I will continue to pour my heart into making more and more of the BLE program available for an investment that the masses can afford.
And I will continue to be as authentic and honest as I can in the process.

P.S. — THANK YOU, Sharon, for contributing your case study to the BLE book. I am sorry that I never thanked you formally at the time. I apologize. That was a huge mistake on my part, and I hurt you with my omission. Please let me know if there’s something, in addition to my public gratitude now, that I can do to make it up to you.

Thank you Susan for your courage, your honesty and integrity. I love that you don’t shy away from the edgy topics but address them heads on. You are a fearless leader and inspiration in so many ways. ♥️♥️♥️

Hi Susan,
“Shame” is a big word, and I can’t think of a time when it’s helpful to throw it at anybody. The word alone is enough to trigger all kinds of defences, rationalizations and explanations on the part of the recipient, and it looks like you may be showing a bit of that response in this vlog. BLE is your baby, and a beautiful and full expression of your life’s purpose, so of course you’d feel protective of yourself in this regard. On the face of it, no worries there.
However, it does seem to me that you’ve missed the mark with the whole “expectation of friends thing”. I’m pretty sure that you know from AA that it’s not the best road to spend energy trying to explain someone else’s motivations, and the fact is, anybody who doesn’t get it that BLE is a business isn’t being in reality. But the thing about being the last to know if you were operating out of greed…well…that’s just plain old BS. Deep down, we all know when we are in the wrong, so drop that. If you find you are guilty, own it, and make amends. If not, let it go. Either way it’s up to you.
So…after having done all three basic BLE programs (14-day Challenge, Boot Camp, and then Bright Lifers), and living BLE for almost 2 years, I decided not to do Reboot Rezoom because I didn’t think it was worth the almost $500 bucks, so I didn’t do it. I felt that I had the tools you’ve given me, so no need. End of story. But, since you’ve brought it up… I decided to share my thoughts.
I was VERY surprised and disappointed in the whole idea of the Reboot Rezoom plan. It looked and sounded like a case of “fleecing the sheep”. I watched all four of the videos shot in preparation for the launch of Reboot Rezoom, and I didn’t hear much that was new or different from what you have been telling us all along. And I was surprised when you shared the degrees to which you’d strayed from your lines. NOT AT ALL that you’d struggled, or that you’d sometimes slipped pretty far, but it was a shock to hear the gap between your candor in these new videos compared with what now seemed to be a lack of candor in the vlogs that I’d been listening to for the past two years. I was shocked at what seemed like two completely different stories. I felt torn between compassion for your struggles, and anger that you had been so much less than honest with us. Frankly, I think that if you’d been more honest, and kept more current with us about what was really going on, that there probably wouldn’t have been any need at all for anything like the Reboot Rezoom program.
About the content of the videos, I thought the EMPHASIS in the Reboot Rezoom videos was different, but that the SUBSTANCE was the same as what we’ve all been trained in through BLE. The presentations felt as though you were building hype to later deliver the “and this is what it costs” spiel…which is pretty much what happened. Speaking as a 7, I thought the whole idea of the natural ebb and flow of how one keeps on a general trajectory of a Bright Line Lifestyle was a no-brainer, and all the charts and graphs didn’t cover up the fact that this was not remotely “big new information”, not to my ears anyway. When I reflect on some of the tools that you’ve given us…for instance…the permission to be human thing…it seems to me that you’ve known about the ebb and flow aspect of BLE, and have been practicing it all along. The fact that your weight remained stable and that you eventually got back on track is evidence of that…regardless of the process to get there. I was put off by how much emphasis you put on your own struggles and the “eurika” experience of “realizing” all this “new” perspective on your own eating struggles, particularly when you are under stress, as if it was some kind of big new thing. It may have been to you, but really?? After all these years…really? We all know you don’t live in an easy, no-worries bubble, but really, are you just now figuring out the ebb and flow part, and the part about not letting yourself get too far into crisis? It all struck me as disingenuous. That you’ve not been nearly as clean in your lines as your vlogs would lead one to believe (you are human after all, so no biggie there), but that you are so off in the application of your own program and tools? That seems really hard to understand…to the point of implausible…and that’s where I’ve come to doubt your veracity.
But HERE’S THE THING that really bugs me, and THE NUB of what left such a bad taste in my mount. You have a VERY large following, some of whom hang on your every word, and as your own evidence shows, a VERY high percentage of your audience, of us, are addicts. And you have personal experience with addiction, and a brain science/psychology education over and above most of the rest of us. You, of all people, know that addicts have some very specific profile markings. We, as a group, have HUGE problems with perfectionism, and black and white thinking. We also tend, as a group, to be drawn to the next new thing, quick fix, or whatever is going to get us out of our present misery, downturn, stinkin’ thinkin’, just plain boredom, or whatever shiny new thing is going to “fix” us. I was disappointed, shocked, and turned off about the whole Reboot Rezoom thing not because I felt it should have been free. I understand business enough to know that if a company goes whole hog on a layout, there has to be a return. No, I was turned off because what you had to say could have easily been addressed in four or five weekly vlogs about the perils of perfectionism, some reflection on the reality of the ebb and flow of true long-term lifestyle BLE eating, and by perhaps fleshing out some already stated things from your book or the boot camps, like doing a vlog on the value of the Permission to be Human format. If any of that had been couched in a MORE ACCURATE frame of your own recent eating trajectory it could have been really valuable, and honorable, and clean. An emphasis on these topics could have generated buzz within the BLE Facebook communities that may well have constructively reshaped our focus. You could have just left it at that. No need for all this hoopla…and the fees that go with it. But that you went the long way around the mulberry bush, with the result of not really mentioning the seriousness of the traps of perfectionism and all or nothing thinking, which is HUGE in the lives of addicts, and dangling “the next new fix” in the face of an easily transfixed crowd, well, it really turned me off. There are plenty of mechanisms in the BLE set-up to support and emphasise what we already know . And, all that’s really necessary, at the end of the day…is for us to apply them. It may not be a message that’s popular because there’s never a lack of need for direction and support among addicts, but in the end, there just isn’t any substitute for One Day At A Time. Bottom line, in my opinion, there wasn’t really any need for you to turn this into a full blown program. No doubt you are getting, and will get, lots of accolades and all kinds of great feedback about it all because to many, you are a food guru who can do no wrong, but was it really necessary?
My unfavorable response to the Reboot Rezoom isn’t really about questions of greed, but is more about the issue of EXPLOITATION. Just how willing are you to key off the built in propensities and vulnerabilities of your “followers”, students, subscribers, audience, clientele, your…market? Yes, yours IS a business, but not a business just like any other, because BLE is involved with a market of addicts. There is no way around the fact that BLE is as much a counselling program as it is a business. That fact is based on your avowed aim to have BLE eventually covered by health insurance, maybe even by Medicaid. If you want BLE to be set apart from other money making weight loss programs, then face up to that fact and walk the walk. Be set apart. The fact that your business model isn’t based on making money off recidivism, and that you give deep discounts to folks who want do-overs, does not put you on some imaginary high ground, or excuse you from the responsibility to walk a very narrow path when dealing with your very unique “market”. All the more so because you are one of us.

I could see you were very hurt and struggling with this comment. I can see both sides of the coin on this one. YOU are providing a service and should be paid for that. But as a low income family being asked to pay for more services hurts low income families. And mothers tend to put themselves way down on the priority list.
Do I think your greedy. No. I don’t. Your providing a service and people that sign up know they have to pay. It’s cald investment in ones self. It’s it hard for low income people financially. Yes it is. But investment costs money. Weather it be health,knowledge, whatever. It all costs money and time. Don’t take the comment to heart. Big hugs.

Well and let’s not forget that what Susan sells is what Food Addicts Anonymous gives for free. SPT keeps people paying her money out of fear. “Join Bright Lifers and pay me $500/year so you don’t gain all your weight back.”

SPT doesn’t “keep people paying her” she doesn’t reach into their pockets and take their money. Thats victim mode talk. People pay for what they value. Sure, they can get it free at Food Addicts Anonymous, but remember, people rarely value free. No skin in the game,.

You’re right–there are so many free resources out there, including FA, and you can spend your time there. Having finally shed 38 pounds because of BLE and still on the way down, the value here is immense. I haven’t bought everything because it’s not currently in my budget. However, I’m not resentful of people who love what they’ve received and bought everything, nor am I resentful of Susan because she charges. If you are, you can examine your own motivations and understand better why you feel that way and need to say it when no one is making you stay involved.

Susan,
Josey sounds like she is disappointed in herself for not succeeding. And, her comment to you seems like she’s a bully, and an internet coward. Making a negative, relatively anonymous comment and then not accepting an invitation to further discuss her feelings with you directly is cowardly.

Let me say that in my humble opinion what you offer is PRICELESS! How lucky are we, the general public of food addicts and folks who struggle with food, weight and health, to have you. To have you in our homes, in our heads, on our computer and phones across the world, on demand. You have invested so much in yourself and in your education to understand what’s happening in the brains of bodies of people who struggle with food.
But, not only have you invested in your training and education but you have the added gift of being a leader and a beloved coach and teacher. You were born to lead folks in BLE and you should be paid royally for the VALUE, and life altering service you provide. In what other areas of life do everyday people have such an all-star coach?

You are a truly remarkable and rare gem in this world and I will always be incredibly grateful and appreciative to have found you. Even when I am eating NMF, struggling with my goals and not in a right -sized body yet.

Susan….I suspect you to be an Enneagram 8……love this vlog.
Often when I see people complain about the cost of your courses (I’ve not done any – only bought the book with the 14 day plan deal) I’m like she gives LOADS of stuff away free and my goodness if they don’t think it’s good value then don’t buy it.

I tell people about BLE ALL the time and I tell them I’d never be able to afford the course but if I could I am 1000% convinced that it would work AMAZINGLY! There is SO MUCH VALUE in the stuff you have to say!!!

Susan I am so glad you don’t shy away from the edgy topics! The value I have received from BLE and the boot camp I attended is priceless. I have not joined bright lifers but if I ever do I would gratefully pay the price. I am also happy to know reboot rezoom is there!! We all have a journey to take and I hope Josey will find her own peace with the value she has received. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the free stuff you give us with your awesome vlogs, the free videos etc!!! I am so grateful for the new identity BLE has given me. In the interest of His economy the Lord brought me to a place where I knew I would not be around much longer if I continued in my food addiction. Then He brought me to BLE. May your stewardship over it remain strong and blessed.

I have no idea if you have any leftover blind spots in regard to greed. In my life my gobbling of food and drink has been an exhibit ion of true greed. I just don’t know how to nibble or sip. Your lifestyle changes in what you eat, knowing you are prone to a 10 on the scale is all you can deal with. Yours, not mine. I have to face me. I want what I want in many ways still. I do better in other areas than food. I probably should be a 400 pounder if my body exhibited all of the addictions and where I am greedy. You alone can measure how you are treating the people around you. You alone can be at peace over that. From the treatment of people, your business practices offer bang for the buck and let no one undermine you on that! What I make time for, what I decide to spend my money on is still up to me and to everyone who wants to follow BLE. I am pretty sure an investment in your book is enough to help anyone to succeed. The other programs?frosting on the basic cake. You experienced all manner of programs that gave you support for serious stuff. The drug issues alone are a kudos to you!! I guess establishing BLE chapters in every town would be next LOL. You have the free facebook stuff etc. Put this baby to bed. Thank you for not being dismissive when challenged. Accusation and putting people on the defensive is an ever increasing [offensive] habit in our society. No one is twisting arms to do any other part of the program in BLE so let’s all grow up and not kill the messenger or the help offered. Obsessing over weight and a size 4 body is a way to deflect from obsessing over food. An addict is an addict. Let’s get to that root before throwing a rock. Thanks for posting this Susan. P.S. looking so forward to your ‘cookbook’!!!

I listened to this vlog instead of my morning meditation today and I LOVED IT! I love you, I’m grateful for you and I don’t care if you’re greedy. You have rescued me (and thousands of others) from the diet treadmill and for that I will be eternally grateful. xo

Dear Susan, you handled that “edgey“ comment superbly! I too do not think there is a greedy bone in your body. You answered every nuance completely and to the point. The only thing I’d add to the reasons why food addiction is so hard to beat is that we’d die without food, where as we can live without everything else (drugs, tobacco, alcohol). I am so grateful that you shared your discovery with the rest of the world. You are blessing millions.

I’m just glad you wrote a book. I got it from the library. So the book was FREE, the vlogs are FREE. I don’t know what JoseyRN wants more than that. I’m doing BLE on the information I can glean and with the support of my co-workers because they saw my results and are into it now as well.

I just want to say thank you to Susan and all of the team at BLE. The only thing I’ve spent money on is buying the BLE audio book, and the 14 day challenge. I can’t afford the boot camp otherwise I would happily pay for it. All I can do is try my best to use the support of facebook groups and my own determination to try and stay ON IT. I personally think it’s thee most successful and healthiest way of eating to get happy thin and free. I think I can speak for a ton of people when I say I’m tired of trying the next gimmicky pill, or weight loss diet program, or new fancy fat targeting/burning equipment tool… It’s a billion dollar industry but BLE is dirt cheap essentially and it can be what you want to get out of it. Buy a food scale and buy a ton of vegetables (instead of dead junk food) and you’re well on your way! I’ve been on and off several times in the last year and I know it’s fricken difficult, I’m HIGH on the food susceptibility scale. I know in my heart this is THE WAY that I always return to. I always hop back on the BLE highway and instantly feel good about my choices! I wish you all the best in your journeys! Thank you again Susan and everyone at BLE, so much gratitude!

I’ve never heard so say “ummm” so many times. I’m guessing that you were REALLY uncomfortable with this one.
You have earned every dollar that you’ve put in your purse, and we know it. Apparently there are some who want everything on a silver platter, and no matter what is delivered, it won’t live up to their inflated expectations. Don’t worry about them. Seriously, just don’t worry about it.

1) Judgements are projections. The person who perceived you as greedy and threw shame at you has an opportunity to address the ways they are greedy and experience shame in their own lives. It’s an emotional, Spiritual issue. Sending that person Light for their healing on all levels. They need care and support.
2) You cannot ultimately guarantee everyone’s success because people are ultimately responsible for themselves.
3) It’s not a secret that people can and do fall off the wagon with ANY structured program.
4) The value of any service or offering is subjective. When people are willing to pay any amount of money that is significant to them, they are more likely to fully invest THEMSELVES in the program.
5) Giving things away for free inherently diminishes the value of the thing being given away. It’s easier for the recipient to set free things aside without feeling any pain about it or risking anything since they did not actually invest on the material level and perhaps on the psychological level.
6) There’s a huge opportunity for addressing the emotional, spiritual, and subconscious material that inevitably surfaces during the BLE process, and any time someone starts doing any kind of personal work that disrupts past behaviors and challenges the judgements they have held against and about themselves.
7) YOU know the value of what it is you are offering. It has been reflected to you in the 1000’s of people who have had life changing success in the program.
8) The value of what you offer far outweighs the material investment that is required for your program. AND it’s simply impossible to be All Things to All People.
9) Your Reboot Rezoom program is clearly designed in the Spirit of “No one left behind”.

Thanks to Susan for the way you bring your gifts to the world and encourage people to care for themselves in ways they never know how to before!!

I would like to say that it’s really a testament to the personal work you’ve done in your life, along your journey, that you would be willing to publicly investigate your feelings and motivations in creating and offering these programs to people in need of changing their lives. That’s the biggest thing here that I can see. Your level of integrity and your ability to put yourself under a microscope to be certain of your own reasons for doing things is why this program exists and is as successful in helping people as it is. Anyone can churn out a “weight loss program” to the masses and charge money. Bright Line Eating is radically different because of you.

Having said that, and being a small business owner, myself, it’s a common perception that money charged for time and resources isn’t as valid for someone who is in business for themselves. We’ll pay Nordstrom or Starbucks or Verizon a boatload of money for things, but if you’re in business as an individual, you should be ashamed of yourself. Time and resources at the end of the day, no matter who or what company is expending them, cost money. Particularly when you are operating at the level you are. It takes a great deal to create and distribute to the number of people you are. Honestly, the value you bring is so much higher than the $4.50 latte and $4.00 muffin some people buy everyday for a month racking up over $100 for that alone, but people tend not to see the value, they see a price.

Thanks for handling this in the way you have. You have given the comment writer, as well as us, a chance to air our feelings and in the process put yourself on the skinny branches. Thank you for your amazing example of how to live in integrity. I appreciate you so much.

It didn’t sound to me like her issue was of whether or not you’re greedy, nor was it about feeling like you are a friend. I think she is hurting and desperate for an answer to her food addiction and she sees you saying you have an answer, but you won’t give it to her unless she gives you another $500 or whatever. She has already invested in you, only to be told she has not given enough to be truly happy, thin, and free.

I’m sure your courses are worth the money you charge, but it has a feeling similar to the pharmaceutical companies charging exorbitant amounts for life-saving medications. When you need it and it is out of your reach, it is natural to be upset with the person who could help but won’t.

Susan
Thank you❤️
You’ve got my back!
I’m one of your 1 in 5 and so proud😊 Happy 😃 Thin😘and Free⭐️
And if I get lost and take a off ramp You have me Protected, Supported 💖
Because you have done the research, walked the miles, shed the tears, worn the shoes
Shared our Journey🙏💕
With So Much Love and Gratitude
Thank You
Helen McDonnell

Thank you Susan for all you do and the ongoing support that is free. I have been doing bright line eating for 2+ years and have remained within 5+/- lbs of my goal weight. Emotionally and financially I was unable to join the reboot and rezoom program, but feel so fortunate to have had access to the free information and the ongoing weekly vlogs. Your support in this manner helps me remember the basics and more and gives me ongoing support to keep working toward my goal of health and wellness.

I don’t “know” Susan personally, but I know the essence of her goodness, can appreciate her education, her neuroscience expertise, her continuing scientific research and willingness to go out on a limb and share personal stuff so we can “get it”. I don’t expect to get anything for free, tho I was dismayed to learn that because I could not afford Bright Lifers right after bootcamp it would be even more expensive to sign up later when I did have the money. Doing the bootcamp was THE best thing I’ve done for myself. And I would have, in a heartbeat, signed up for RBRZ or perhaps even Bright Lifers, but with mounting bills after being on disability after major surgery and prolonged recovery … that was not possible … I was not willing to and could not risk losing my home. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to spend the money. I didn’t even HAVE the money. Still don’t.
Unlike Josie RN, I alone am responsible for me. I put in the effort; I take responsibility for my own actions; I work the program and it has slowly but surely worked for me. I gained a lot more new skills in bootcamp. And if my skills get a bit rusty, it’s up to me to “use some elbow grease” as me mum would say, to scrub away the rust and make my tools useful once again. And hopefully, soon, when I am back on my feet financially, I can get back to a new, different course at BLE and develop more skills. Sure, I’d have liked for there to have been a discount for those of us who just finished bootcamp, literally less than a month before RBRZ – but it was not offered. (But, TBT, I still would not have been able to do it.). I do not believe that you are greedy. I do believe that Josie RN needs to take a bit more responsibility for her own self.

Saw this in my email, and I listen to your vlogs on occasion. I have been on this plan since August 2017 and lost 100 and am maintaining that loss. Unlike most people on this plan I am not focused on what you are selling or not selling, I am focused on what is right for me. I did not do bootcamp or the challenge, I read the book, and I have a friend that does this plan as well, we are doing fine. Focusing on what is right for me and the plans basic is staying away from flour and sugar is what I feel is the core of maintaining this weight loss. I am sorry to say that you are not what keeps me on the plan, the plan keeps me on the plan, you have given me the tools, and it is up to me to work the plan, listening to your vlog(s) or joining the bootcamp or challenge to me is the same as joining WW or Nutrisystem, what I needed was simple and you gave me simple, 3 meals, no snacks, no sugar flour, weigh your meals, I didn’t need anything more than that and I am glad you broke it down for me. I haven’t been perfect in my 19 months on this plan, but I do know what I need to do to maintain this weight loss and I do know that I will never gain this 100 lbs. back. So, thank you for the book, and I wish you continued success in navigating your journey in helping those that want to be helped. I realize that this is a business for you, with a staff, and products that you feel are necessary for others to succeed in this journey of losing and maintaining their weight loss. So, journey on Susan and do what you feel is going to help, and take it all in stride.

I just lost my long comment that was supportive of Susan so I will say ALOHA – because of Aloha one gave without thought of return and one had to recognise the ‘god of life’ in another before saying Aloha. You do all that Aloha means – generosity, peace, compassion, love and more. In a nutshell Susan I want to thank you for what you do for so many because it is priceless. Thank you for being here every week sharing FREE weekly VLOG’s that I wait for eagerly.

Excuse me but I would gladly pay for your expertise in the psychology of food addiction. Your knowledge is of great value and has taken you years to acquire it. You have taken a considerable amount of time, effort, energy and cost to present it to me. That is a valuable commodity that has a monetary value and you should be compensated for your knowledge. It has value and is worthy of a monetary compensation. Keep up the wonderful work you and your staff are providing.

Seriously? Clearly this Josey gal does not understand capitalism. You offer a service, if we choose to become a customer, we pay for that service. Great vlog but I hope you didn’t spend a great deal of time worrying about the comment. I’m rather certain Josey doesn’t work for free.

I believe that you should be paid for everything you offer us. You have been more than generous to us brightlifers in the past and I do believe you have a very big and generous heart.
Romans 4:4 (EASY)
When a person works to get money, it is right for him to receive his money. That money is not a gift. It is what that person ought to receive as a result of his work.
We are paying you for a service to help us help ourselves. You are worthy to receive every cent as you have helped so many succeed with their weight issues.
God bless you. Thank you for your continued research and resources that impact so many lives.

This has to be one of the most authentic, honest answers ever recorded about the weight loss industry and being in the business of helping people live better! It’s refreshing and right on point
Thanks for this, Susan!

THANK YOU. to you for this blog and to this whole community of conversation. This is why this works. i am over a year in, #110 released -( no idea what my goal weight, but not there yet) and i am grateful to know if and when i need to reboot and re-zoom, it is available for me. As to the greed issue, your discernment mirrors the conversations of so many i know, myself included, that have received a calling to step in, with skin in the game, to help heal ourselves and this broken and beautiful world.

People have many views on sharing knowledge and experience., and a low view of teacher value in our society. You share your hard earned knowledge in shorter quantities and then when you design a needed course – well you need to make a living! I agree that your program has been evolving and you weren’t knowingly “holding out” on this part of the program. I think it’s great that you are addressing this need the way you are. I have been just a “looky-loo” and watch your vlog regularly. I get so much out of hearing about your experience and your answers to concerns people have., Maybe someday I will have the money and discipline at the same time and become a real part of BLE. Until then I appreciate your work! It has helped me a great deal.